MADRID // The Real Madrid striker Ruud van Nistelrooy has vowed to fight back from a career-threatening knee injury and return to action next season.
The Dutchman, 32, had surgery on his right knee this week in the United States and told the Spanish daily Marca newspaper today that his career would have been over without it.
"If they hadn't put me in the operating theatre football would have been finished for me," he said in an interview with the paper in Colorado where the operation was conducted.
"It's a long time to be out but there was no other way," he added. "The injury is serious."
Van Nistelrooy was treated by Richard Steadman, the surgeon who operated on the same knee in 2000 while the player was at PSV Eindhoven.
"It's true I am 32 but eight years ago I was in a similar situation so I know what to do now," van Nistelrooy added.
"The recuperation will be very hard but I will manage it. I still have a lot of goals to score in the Real Madrid shirt and many objectives to achieve."
The Netherlands striker damaged the knee during Real's 2-1 Champions League defeat at Juventus last month. He returned for the 2-0 home defeat by the Italians, but a scan appeared to show an aggravation of the injury.
"It's one of the most difficult moments of my career, that's clear," he told Marca. "But there are two options: give up or fight. And I am going to fight."
*Reuters
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder turbo
Transmission: CVT
Power: 170bhp
Torque: 220Nm
Price: Dh98,900
Brief scores:
England: 290 & 346
Sri Lanka: 336 & 243
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
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How Islam's view of posthumous transplant surgery changed
Transplants from the deceased have been carried out in hospitals across the globe for decades, but in some countries in the Middle East, including the UAE, the practise was banned until relatively recently.
Opinion has been divided as to whether organ donations from a deceased person is permissible in Islam.
The body is viewed as sacred, during and after death, thus prohibiting cremation and tattoos.
One school of thought viewed the removal of organs after death as equally impermissible.
That view has largely changed, and among scholars and indeed many in society, to be seen as permissible to save another life.
THE BIO
Age: 33
Favourite quote: “If you’re going through hell, keep going” Winston Churchill
Favourite breed of dog: All of them. I can’t possibly pick a favourite.
Favourite place in the UAE: The Stray Dogs Centre in Umm Al Quwain. It sounds predictable, but it honestly is my favourite place to spend time. Surrounded by hundreds of dogs that love you - what could possibly be better than that?
Favourite colour: All the colours that dogs come in
Awar Qalb
Director: Jamal Salem
Starring: Abdulla Zaid, Joma Ali, Neven Madi and Khadija Sleiman
Two stars
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