by Rachel Cuschieri confirmed that she will be out for the rest of the calendar year, following a surgery handled by her club Genoa, addressing a hernia that had been troubling her for six months. The real story however, is why she was allowed to carry this issue for these months in silence and how many others are suffering similar situations without proper assistance in sight.
Six Months
Rachel Cuschieri will be out for the rest of the calendar year, with no clear defined return date following a surgery to address a hernia that had been troubling the midfielder for six months. Taking to her social media, the Malta international confirmed that the surgery was taken care of by her club, Genoa.
This page has always steered clear from speculation, but the question begs as to why one of Malta’s most prominent footballers was allowed to spend six months dealing with this on the sideline. Furthermore, the situation was eventually only sorted through her club.
She delivered the most assists in the inaugural UEFA Women’s Nations League campaign where Malta secured promotion. Competitively, she captained Malta twice against Portugal this year and played all matches in the UEFA Women’s European Qualification. Six months is exactly round about the time Malta concluded these commitments.
One would have thought having the player fit and ready to go as early as possible would have been priority for Malta’s national team. Since the end of these commitments, Malta was invited to a friendly by Italy, which the midfielder missed out on, before playing with injury in a closed doors friendly against Hungary. She was withdrawn for the official friendly at the Centenary Stadium.
As the upcoming cycle of UEFA Women’s Nations League beckons in February, Rachel Cuschieri may be back on the field donning Malta’s shirt for the upcoming UEFA Women’s Nations League cycle or maybe she does not make it in time, it is unclear. Perhaps it will be good to remember that if she makes it, it will be courtesy of Genoa. Perhaps buying a couple of those kits would be more appropriate for Maltese fans.
All Signs Point Toward Cuschieri’s Situation Being The Norm, Not The Exception
However, as alluded to in the second part of the Talking Strategy series published on The Sporting Fan, there are many troubling stories that traverse the football circles. The real question should be, if her return was not a priority for Malta, then whose return is considered urgent?
It will be good to keep in mind that although the player went public with her treatment and support, it does not mean she is the only player dealing with such issues. So, another question worth asking is how many players are currently fighting the same battle silently, for the appropriate personnel to give them their attention and for an appropriate treatment to be administered?
There are a significant number of prominent players in the national team and players among the most exciting prospects that Malta has to offer, that have disappeared for months on end. It’s good to also put a thought together to how a player which is currently not among the crop considered crucial for a team, is supported.
Any medical professional worth their salt will say that medicine can be a tricky road to navigate and that sometimes the path is not clear. In a world where professionals are consistently attacked without basis or knowledge, this author will steer clear from making claims in a field of which I know little and will urge those reading not to jump to conclusions.
However, the troubling recurring scenario of injuries and issues which are well known and considered ‘trivial’ in the world of football, that are taking out players for months when they shouldn’t, needs to be addressed by the relevant personnel. The number of recurrences of certain injuries is also troubling.
Whether it is an issue of professional competency, the medical professional not having the right resources or, these injuries and recoveries completely falling on deaf ears, is a puzzle which this article cannot solve. However, it is about time that those who have the responsibility start to address it. Maltese footballers deserve better.
Lead Image: Visuals by Brandon Bonett
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