Since his monstrous 2012/13 La Liga campaign that earned him a move to the Premier League, Roberto Soldado‘s career has slid in a continuous downward fashion.
His time at Tottenham was short, marred by miserable finishing that left him with just seven Premier League goals in two seasons. He moved back to Spain with Villarreal, but managed just five goals in 28 appearances last season. Now, with Villareal gearing up for a run in the Champions League, he finds himself on the sidelines for the forseeable future.
The 31-year-old suffered a torn ACL in a preseason friendly against fellow La Liga side Deportivo La Coruna on Tuesday.
Obviously the injury is terrible news for Soldado, who finds himself sidelined for at least six months and at the worst might never be the same player again. It’s also a horrible turn of events for Villarreal, who have just a single healthy striker at the moment in new signing Alexandre Pato.
“I fell and got up. And now, more than ever, I’ll try harder,” Soldado said via social media. “It begins a difficult period but my motivation is even greater. To work, keep doing everything for the team and give my all to be soon on the pitch giving everything for this shirt as I have always done. I count on your support!”
While Soldado’s goal count was again less than impressive, he fed strike partner Cedric Bakambu on multiple occasions as the two became dangerous up front. Now, Soldado’s knee is under the knife, and Bakambu is struggling with his own foot injury, one that will keep him out for at least the Champions League playoff against Monaco which begins next weekend.
