Tottenham attacking midfielder Erik Lamela has revealed he feared he would never play again during his 13 months out injured.
The Argentina international made his comeback on Tuesday night during the club’s defeat at Leicester as a late replacement for Christian Eriksen.
Lamela made an immediate impact, setting up Harry Kane for Tottenham’s only goal in 2-1 loss, their third in five Premier League matches.
The 25-year-old has broken his silence about his year on the sidelines, during which he underwent double hip surgery in the spring after hiring a personal physio in a bid to get to the bottom of the issue that was causing him so much pain.
“It was crazy,” Lamela told the Mirror. “It was probably the worst time of my life. I really wanted to play but it took too long, my injury. Now I’m so happy to be back.”
Asked about the lowest point, he said: “When I did two surgeries in one month and a half. Of course, I was not available to play. But working every day and doing the right rehabilitation, in my mind was always the feeling that I wanted to play and be back with the team.
“Of course, in really bad times you always think the worst [that I might not return].
“But my family was always with me and the supporters wanted me on the pitch, they bring me energy to work every day and to never give up.
“Today I’m here today because I really wanted it and when you really want something you can do it.”
OPINION
Spurs fans would have felt like giving up on Lamela such was the length of his absence, with what was initially regarded as an innocuous problem. The diagnosis of a hip injury that twice required surgery demonstrated its seriousness, and the mental and physical hurdles that the Argentine has had to overcome to return at the highest level. Can he go on to make a major impact for Tottenham in the coming months? They certainly need a one v one maestro in a squad that is short on inventiveness and extreme pace.