The career of an athlete is often a very circumstantial entity, with no assurances that they will be fit to carry on at the required level, professional sportspeople are under a constant amount of pressure. Despite injury, controversy and age putting an end to many careers, there are some who have bounced back in the best of styles.
10. Paul Scholes
Veteran midfielder Paul Scholes has played for his native Manchester United since his career began in 1991. Having become a legend of the soccer club- he announced his expected retirement towards the end of last season and quickly became a part of the prestigious teams coaching staff. In January of this year however, Scholes reversed his decision to retire in light of the amount of squad members who were injured at the club, returning to magnificent form instantaneously and still dominating his centric role as a playmaker within the team.
9. Kim Clijsters
Belgian Tennis player Kim Clijsters announced her retirement aged just 24 in 2007, citing complications resulting from various injuries. 2 years later however, following the birth of her daughter- she informed the tennis world of her imminent return. After competing in an exhibition doubles match at the prestigious Wimbledon Club in London- Clijsters is said to have regained her taste for the game. She won her third tournament back (the US Open) becoming the first mother to do so in almost 30 years- Clijsters continued her career with some success until officially retiring once again in September of this year.
8. Lance Armstrong
This is admittedly a bit of controversial one, considering the Cyclists recent doping scandal- however I don’t think his story should go overlooked. After being diagnosed with testicular cancer in the late 1990’s, Armstrong went on to overcome the disease as well as winning the 1999 tour de France road race. He then went on to win the next 6 years in a row as well, setting a record breaking 7 consecutive wins. However in recent years, the American has been under scrutiny about his drug use around the time of his feat- recently being found guilty of using performance enhancing substances and stripped of all recognitions.
7. Ted Williams
Easily one of the biggest hitters the ballgame has ever seen, Baseball legend Ted Williams was an (almost) permanent fixture at the Boston Redsox for the entirety of his career. Being interrupted by Naval enlistment not just once but twice, Williams balanced his time between Fenway Park and the Second World and Korean Wars magnificently- returning after each stint away in excellent form and maintaining his place as one the teams (and indeed the games) most beloved icons.
6. Alessandro Zanardi
The tale of Alessandro ‘Alex’ Zanardi is one of bravery and perseverance. As a promising motorsport driver at the turn of the 21st century, Alex was involved in a terrible accident on the track which took both of his legs and about 2/3 of his blood. Miraculously, the Italian was saved and made a surprisingly quick return to his passion- completing his laps of the track on which he nearly died, barely 2 years later. He did this in a speed that would have seen him qualify in a steady 5th place for that weekend’s race, in a car specially adapted to be controlled completely by hand. After this, Alex turned his attention to handbiking, a sport which he again excelled at- winning a 2 gold medals and a silver during this Summers Paralympics in the UK.
5. Michael Jordan
Frequently championed as the greatest player the sport has ever seen, Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan shocked the sports world with the announcement in 1993 that he was to leave basketball in pursuit of a career in baseball. This fling was short lived however, as 2 years later Jordan was back at the Bulls up to his old consecutive title winning tricks. The New Yorker remained with the iconic Bulls until his retirement in 2003.
4. George Foreman
One of the most notorious heavy-weight boxers in the world during his 60’s/70’s heyday, George Foreman left the sport in 1977 as a result of his born again Christianity/ordainment as a minister. It wasn’t too long before the ‘Rumble in the Jungle’ legend returned however- stepping into the ring 10 years later in an apparent bid to raise funds for a youth centre he was in the process of setting up. Fighting on for several more years, the by now middle aged Foreman went on to become the oldest heavyweight champion ever in 1994 at age 45.
3. Pele’
Completing a staggering 17 seasons at his home club of Santos, Brazil- soccer icon Pele’ originally retired in 1974, aged 34. Becoming a legend of the sport as a result of his exploits when representing Brazil on the world stage- Pele’ received persistent pressure to rethink his status from clubs all over the world. A year after retiring from Santos, Pele’ headed to the US to play for New York Cosmos. During a tenure at the club which lasted 2 years- he helped spread the sport across a country that had previously shown very little interest in it.
2. Zinedine Zidane
This French soccer, or as they call it everywhere else- ‘football’, player announced his retirement following the Euro 2004 international finals. Over the next couple of years however, with the French team struggling immensely throughout their World Cup 06’ qualification bid- coach Raymond Domenech managed to persuade the legendary striker into re-joining his old teammates for the eventual competition. Zidane led the French firmly all the way through to the final, in which they faced a very strong Italian side. Controversy struck suddenly when the Frenchman head-butted Italian defender Marco Materazzi in the chest after an exchange of words. Zidane was sent off, and Italy went on to win in penalties after a 1-1 tie.
1. Muhammed Ali
Perhaps the most famous name in the history of Boxing, Muhammad Ali is an all-round cultural icon. Originally named Cassius Clay, Ali converted to Islam in the early 1960’s- around about the same time he started making a real name for himself as a premier fighter- winning his first heavyweight title in 64’ aged 22. Later in the decade Ali found himself the subject of widespread and public vilification due his objection of the request that he serve in the Vietnam War. After a stint of exile from the sport due to charges faced for his refusal to enlist, Ali made a furious comeback in 1970 when his case was overturned- going on to enjoy life as a heavyweight champion once again.
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