'The most difficult recovery in history' - Ex-Barcelona and Everton star opens up on brutal injury hell and targets return almost three years since his last game

Deulofeu is battling to save his career as he targets a miraculous return to football, nearly three years after his last competitive appearance. In a candid interview with The Guardian, the 31-year-old has opened up on his devastating and complex knee injury, a recovery process he believes may be "the most difficult in history," but one he is determined to overcome.

Deulofeu's ordeal began in January 2023 while playing for Udinese, but a standard knee injury soon spiralled into a career-threatening nightmare. The forward revealed that a severe infection contracted during surgery caused catastrophic damage, effectively destroying the cartilage in his knee and severely limiting his mobility. The complication has meant his recovery has been anything but straightforward, with progress painstakingly slow and setbacks a constant reality.

"It’s not like a usual injury. As an old person it can happen that your knee is completely destroyed and now it happened to me because the infection was getting worse and worse," he said.

"I knew from those early months that I couldn’t be back quickly. In every MRI I had, the cartilage had deteriorated. I lost my muscle, my knee wouldn’t flex properly, there was a lot to recover and it was very slow."

The timeline for any potential return underscores the severity of the situation. Deulofeu is facing a period of more than 1,000 days on the sidelines, an almost unprecedented layoff in modern elite football. Despite the monumental challenge, the Spaniard remains resolute, drawing on immense self-belief and a disciplined approach to his rehabilitation as he continues to work relentlessly at Udinese's training ground.

"I know I’m trying something special. If I manage to return, it will take more than 1,000 days," he stated. "But I am a person who takes care of myself and I believe I can do it. If there is anyone capable of doing it, it is me.” 

He is refusing to set a definitive date for a comeback, instead focusing on the daily process, but is clinging to the hope that, at 31, time is still on his side to write a final, triumphant chapter.

The injury represents a cruel blow to a player once tipped for superstardom. A product of Barcelona's famed La Masia academy, Deulofeu was a prodigious talent who drew comparisons to the club's greatest icons. However, a consistent run at the highest level proved elusive. After breaking into the Barcelona first team, he embarked on a journeyman career that included loan spells at Everton and Sevilla, before a permanent move to Goodison Park.

He later returned to Barcelona before finding a home at Watford, where he showcased his best form in the Premier League, making 70 appearances and scoring 17 goals. A move to Udinese in 2020 saw him become a talismanic figure for the Serie A side.

Throughout this gruelling period, Deulofeu has been buoyed by the unwavering support of Udinese. Although his contract with the club officially ended in January 2025, the Italian side has continued to stand by him, allowing him to use their state-of-the-art facilities and providing him with the time and space needed for his recovery.

“They’re waiting for me. Udinese is giving me time, and I’m very grateful that they’ve helped me and given me the opportunity to stay here, working in this fantastic stadium," he said. This loyalty, combined with the desire for his children to see him play professionally again, fuels his daily fight. "I know that one day, if I play here again, this stadium will be completely packed. It will be a party. They know how much I love this club and how I played when I was available. We want to make history together.”

The path forward for Deulofeu remains uncertain. He is in a race against time, biology, and the brutal realities of an injury that has already stolen years from his career. His daily pre-dawn gym sessions are a testament to his commitment to achieving what many would consider impossible. While he acknowledges that if a return proves unfeasible, he "may have to make a decision," his focus remains entirely on the comeback. Should he defy the odds and step onto a pitch once more, it would undoubtedly represent one of the most remarkable and inspiring stories of resilience in modern football history.