In the unpredictable world of football, where injuries can often disrupt a player’s career trajectory, there exist a select few who seem immune to the trials of the treatment room. These players, often referred to as the “Ironmen” of the sport, boast an exceptional ability to maintain peak physical condition, warding off injuries with remarkable consistency. Let’s delve into the profiles of some of these enduring figures:
1. Inaki Williams
Inaki Williams surely has to be the foremost footballer who never gets injured. The Athletic Bilbao forward established a La Liga record by playing in his 203rd consecutive league game – a run of more than five years without getting injured. His last injury came in the 2015/2016 season, and to date, he has not suffered any notable injury while playing football.
2. Antonio Rüdiger
The German defender is another footballer that has played consistently without getting injured. Antonio Rüdiger’s last injury was a groin injury in the 2019/20 season, and since then, he has played a significant number of games without picking up an injury.
3. Sergio Busquets
The underrated Spanish midfielder has demonstrated his physical stamina for Barcelona and Spain this season. Sergio Busquets has gone a number of games without an injury, including participating at the Euros 2020. His last major injury came in the 2020/21 season when he missed two games due to ligament problems. Busquets has been a regular starter for both club and country in the 2021/22 season and has never picked up an injury.
4. Robert Lewandowski
The Polish marksman seems just as fit as he is prolific on the football field. Despite the huge volume of games he is involved in for his club Bayern Munich Lewandowski seems to always be available for selection which should terrify the opposition. Last season the FIFA best player played 40 games across all competitions. This season is already barely just past the mid-point he has already featured in 30 games. Going by past antecedents of how well he takes care of himself, it looks most likely that he will finish the season injury-free.
5. Mohamed Salah
The Egyptian talisman is another player who has been relatively injury-free in the past few seasons. Despite his athleticism and constantly high levels of performance, Salah is somehow able to avoid getting long term injuries that will leave him sidelined for long periods. Last season the Liverpool striker played 51 games. This season he has played 27 matches despite missing a few due to his participation in the 2021 African Cup of Nations concluded recently.
6. Giorgio Chiellini
A defensive stalwart, Chiellini’s robustness and resilience have been vital to his enduring success at the highest levels of the game. Rarely sidelined by injuries, he has established himself as one of the premier defenders of his generation.
7. Lautaro Martinez
The Argentine forward has managed to stay off the treatment table despite the huge number of games he has been involved in over the past two years. Last season, Martinez played 50 games for club and country. So far, he has featured in over 36 games across all competitions in this campaign.
8. Pau Torres
The Spanish and Villarreal centre-back featured in over 51 games last campaign, including a run to the Europa League final where he helped his club defeat favourites Manchester United. This season the no-nonsense defender has played 29 games across all competitions and will be looking to maintain this form till the end of the season.
9. Thomas Muller
The attacker isn’t one who get injured easily
Bayern Munich’s unsung hero, Thomas Muller, also has an unbelievable injury record. He is one of Europe’s leading superstars when it comes to fitness and consistency. The German international has picked up just seven knocks between 2014 and 2021.
That has seen him miss just 17 matches for the Bavarians across competitions. Thanks to his incredible fitness over the years, Muller has been at the top of his game for club and country over the years.
The attacker has an impressive record of 218 goals and 224 assists to his name in 592 games so far for Bayern Munich. He has also enjoyed a prolific spell with the German national team, bagging 40 goals and 39 assists in 108 games.
10. Lionel Messi
Winning six Ballon d’Or awards is no fluke. You’ll need to be at the top of your game for several years to stand a chance of claiming the coveted accolade even once in your career. To do that on six separate occasions in a sport that features intense competition is mightily impressive.
Lionel Messi’s injury record is mind-blowing. The Argentine has missed 113 games since becoming a professional footballer, according to Transfermarkt. Apart from his eternal rival Cristiano Ronaldo, there’s no other player in the world right now who can boast such a level of fitness over a long period.
11. Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo’s injury record is out of this world.
Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo has maintained an insane fitness level throughout his career.
The Portuguese is in a league of his own when it comes to taking good care of their bodies. He is the epitome of fitness, longevity and excellence for many athletes around the world.
Since July 2008, Cristiano Ronaldo has missed just 61 games due to injury. That is just two months out of 13 years, across spells with clubs like Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus.
Despite being 36, the Portuguese is still at the top of his game. He has entered the new season in spectacular form, bagging five goals for United in six appearances across competitions. The attacker is also doing well with his national team, recently making headlines for scoring an impressive hat-trick in the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifier with Luxembourg.
12. Virgil van Dijk
As a defensive stalwart, van Dijk’s reliability at the back has been instrumental in the success of his teams. Blessed with both physical strength and tactical acumen, the Dutch defender’s ability to avoid injuries has made him a cornerstone of any team he represents.
13. Antoine Griezmann
He is one of the best players in football history, Griezmann rarely misses a game due to injury. His durability and reliability have earned him the admiration of fans and teammates alike, making him an invaluable asset for both club and country.
14. Bruno Fernandes
he has proven to be remarkably durable throughout his career. His ability to cover ground and break up opposition attacks has made him indispensable for both club and country.
15. Dani Alves
Renowned for his tireless work rate and boundless energy, Alves has enjoyed a long and illustrious career largely free from major injuries. His durability and versatility have made him a sought-after asset for numerous top clubs around the world.
