'It is more than an injury, it is closer to a permanent disability' - Ex-Premier League star reveals shocking extent of fitness battle as he prays for 'miracle' to allow him to return

Deulofeu has been battling the effects of an ACL injury since November of 2022, but has sustained multiple setbacks as he bids to find a way back onto the pitch. He sustained the injury while playing for Udinese in Serie A, and during his recovery, he had to deal with infected cartilage, and he has now admitted that he is praying for a "miracle" to allow him to play again. Udinese did announce the mutual termination of the Spaniard's contract in January but he swiftly confirmed that if he does come back, he will do so playing for the club. 

Deulofeu has lifted the lid on just how bad his knee injury has been, as he hopes he can regenerate the cartilage to be able to play again. 

He told Flashscore: "[It] is more than an injury, it's something closer to a permanent disability, to having a prosthesis in the knee. 

"Not being able to take a step because bone collides with bone is much more serious. I'm fighting against biology and also against this one (his head).

"I've been going for two and a half years. I'm lucky that my team, my president and my colleagues at Udinese are with me.

"Luckily, I can train every day. It gives me a lot of strength to have the motivation to be able to train in my stadium every day...

"The repercussion is that you can't train as you should, you lose muscle. Add to that adhesions to the kneecap and the aggressions to the knee."

The former Everton, Watford and Barcelona star has revealed he has a dream that his children will be able to see him pull on the black and white shirt, and he is using them as his motivation. 

He added: "It's going to be very difficult, but I want to make history. I think I can be the player who has been out for the longest time who has been able to come back. That would be a magnificent and beautiful record for me.

"And to do it for my family and for my children. They were born knowing that I am a player, and now that they are a bit older, they are asking me to come back, and that breaks my heart."

There does appear to be a glimmer of hope for Deulofeu moving forwards, as he explained: "There is healing in the cartilage area because without that, with the bone-on-bone collision, it would be impossible to come back.

"But all that cartilage is healing, and now we have to clean the area and build more muscle so I can feel better and train morning and evening.

"Before, I used to work out one day and had to stop for two. Now, the knee is reacting well, and although I see it as a long way off, it's a good indicator...

"There are days and days, and you have to have a lot of patience, to be at home with your family to balance your mind emotionally.

"I can't count the number of times I've thought about quitting… but you know, I also have a team behind me, experts in psychoneuroimmunology that I rely on.

"And these experiences have made me stone cold. It's going to be very difficult for me to give up or be thrown away. Mine is a miracle, and I'm going to try until the last moment."

The winger is now 31 and is hoping to work his way back into Udinese's plans. The winger is continuing to work hard as he aims to put together a remarkable sporting comeback, and has revealed that he has been taking advice from ex-Arsenal legend Santi Cazorla, who famously underwent 11 surgeries on his own recurring injury. 

He said: "We follow each other, and we have exchanged messages. Santi is an example for me.

"You only know what can happen if something similar happens to you.

"I know what it's like not to be able to enjoy your passion when you're young, and I put myself in his shoes because he's a legend and an example of overcoming adversity."