Liverpool’s worst fears were confirmed after Hugo Ekitike ruptured his Achilles tendon during the defeat to PSG – an injury that has derailed the career of almost every player who has suffered it
15:36, 15 Apr 2026
Hugo Ekitike
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Hugo Ekitike has suffered a career-threatening Achilles injury(Image: ADAM VAUGHAN/EPA/Shutterstock)
Hugo Ekitike learned of the worst news possible after it was confirmed he suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon in Liverpool’s defeat against PSG on Tuesday night.
The 23-year-old was stretchered off after collapsing in agony and holding his ankle when he picked up the non-contact injury. There was immediate concerns from both sets of players as the Frenchman was treated and subsequently stretchered away.
It was confirmed on Wednesday morning that Ekitike would miss the rest of the calendar year, and certainly the World Cup. Ekitike faces a minimum of nine months sidelined before he can return to training.
Hugo Ekitike
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Ekitike was stretchered off against PSG(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
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Rupturing the Achilles tendon is an incredibly painful but rare injury. However, almost all of the players who have suffered the injury have not returned to their previous levels.
Here, the Daily Star Sport looks at five high profile players who failed to recapture their best.
David Beckham
David Beckham
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David Beckham missed out on the 2010 World Cup due to the injury(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
At the age of 34, Beckham missed out on the 2010 World Cup in South Africa after tearing his Achilles tendon while playing for AC Milan on loan from LA Galaxy.
The Manchester United legend never played again for England after spending five months sidelined.
Beckham returned to play for LA Galaxy and ended his illustrious career at PSG in 2013.
John Barnes
John Barnes
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John Barnes was forced to resurrect his career after injuring his Achilles(Image: Simon Bruty/Allsport)
Liverpool legend John Barnes suffered a severe ‘shredded’ right Achilles tendon rupture while playing for England in 1992. Gary Lineker was in earshot of the horror injury and said it sounded “like a shotgun going off”.
A flying winger with bags of pace before the injury, Barnes had to redefine his career as a central midfielder after losing that blistering speed.
Barnes also said his calf muscle never fully recovered and was roughly an inch and a half smaller than his healthy leg. The 79-time England international suffered the same injury twice and went on to play until 1999, although not at the same level.
Presnel Kimpembe
Presnel Kimpembe
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Presnel Kimpembe was one of the best centre-backs in the world before he was sidelined for over 400 days
Presnel Kimpembe injury
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Kimpembe has been left with a horrific scar
An absolute horror story, PSG centre-back Presnel Kimpembe was one of the world’s best defenders when he suffered an Achilles tendon rupture.
The Frenchman was kept out of action over 400 days and was left with a gruesome scar down the back of his ankle and foot. Kimpembe played just five times more for PSG after returning before making the move to Qatar SC at the start of this season.
At just 30, the World Cup winner was destined to be at the heart of this current PSG super team.
Neil Webb
Neil Webb
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Neil Webb's Manchester United career was derailed just weeks after his £1.5million move(Image: Getty Images)
Neil Webb was signed by Manchester United in 1989 in a £1.5million deal from Nottingham Forest and scored on his debut against defending league champions Arsenal.
However, just a few games into his United career the midfielder ruptured his Achilles tendon while playing for England. He made his comeback six months later but he never regained his pre-injury form and suffered from other injuries and fitness issues.
Webb returned to Forest in 1992 but played just nine times in his first season as Brian Clough’s side were relegated from the Premier League. He finished his career at Merthyr Tydfil after spells at Grimsby Town and Aldershot.
Callum Hudson-Odoi
Callum Hudson-Odoi
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Callum Hudson-Odoi suffered a career-altering Achilles tendon injury(Image: GETTY )
Once looking like the brightest young prospect in England, Callum Hudson-Odoi’s career took a major blow after he ruptured an Achilles tendon in 2019 – a month after making his England debut.
The flying winger admitted fears that he might not have been able to play again, but he was certainly not the same player. Bayern Munich made a £70million bid for the winger after he returned to the pitch, but the Bavarians have made a lucky escape after Chelsea rejected the offer.
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A shadow of his former self at Stamford Bridge, Hudson-Odoi suffered more injury problems and joined Nottingham Forest in 2023. While remaining a key figure at the City Ground, the 25-year-old is not playing at the heights he looked destined to be reaching.