'Something beyond biology' - Ex-Barcelona & Everton star Gerard Deulofeu may retire at age of 30 due to freak injury

Deulofeu left Udinese by mutual consent this week having not featured since January 2023. The former Barcelona, Everton and Watford forward has battled knee problems for five years and accepts he may be able to play professional football again.

Deulofeu is a Barcelona academy graduate and played four times for Spain, as well as enjoying spells at Everton, Watford and AC Milan. He ruptured his ACL while in action for the Hornets against Liverpool in February 2020 before continuing to suffer once he had signed for Udinese in Italy. He tore his ACL again in November 2022 before undergoing surgery in January 2023 which resulted in infected cartilage. He has not played first-team football since.

Upon announcing he had left Udinese, Deulofeu said: "I've been through a terrible time. Two years ago I did my ACL against Napoli but I recovered and played against Sampdoria with a ruptured cruciate. The bad news came after the match when I found out I needed surgery. Unfortunately, after the operation, I got a cartilage infection. It's more than a normal injury. I've been battling for two years against this thing that's almost beyond biology. I'm better now than I was a few months ago but we'll see what happens."

Deulofeu claimed in his statement that should he ever return to fitness, he would like to return to Udinese. He said: "It means so much to me that the club supported me and is waiting for me. If I do play again one day, I have no doubt it will be for this club and for these people who have always helped me."