Ricardo Pereira: Leicester City defender on ‘smiling’ through injury recovery

Leicester City defender Ricardo Pereira says his hottest return to motion feels like he has “received versus the accidents” right after staying sidelined for extra than 500 times over the previous 3 many years.

The 29-12 months-aged produced his first visual appearance of the season in Leicester’s acquire over Tottenham earlier this month.

He experienced surgical procedure on a ruptured Achilles in August, his 2nd procedure in two a long time soon after a knee personal injury in 2020.

“This last a person was various. I felt extra wise,” Pereira explained.

“I understood it was a massive amount [of days missed], but I failed to count.

“It was stress at the beginning, you wonder and overthink about a large amount of issues.

“I noticed items in different ways this time. I did not have time to overthink or truly feel sorry for myself.

“I just thought there is nothing I can do now, if I cry for 10 hours it can be not heading to improve everything, so let us smile.

“It transpired, I went by way of that and it offers me far more belief that I received versus the accidents and points will get greater for guaranteed.”

Ricardo Pereira pictured about to make his return as a substitute for Leicester City
Pereira came off the bench to substitute James Maddison against Tottenham in their 4-1 get on February 11

Portugal international Pereira says his injuries woes of latest several years have been put into perspective by what other footballers have gone through.

He stated the retirement of Barcelona’s Sergio Aguero on overall health grounds just months following leaving Manchester City, and the impression of Denmark’s Christian Eriksen collapsing at the European Championship made an effect on him.

“Aguero stopped participating in, Eriksen virtually died on the industry, so I just tried to continue to be optimistic,” Pereira informed BBC East Midlands Nowadays.

“It truly is a issue I glance back again on and am proud of myself for, since I saved my very good spirits. Being a amusing male I laughed with the physios just about every day. It receives a lot easier like that.”

Pereira, who has produced 114 appearances for the Foxes since arriving from Porto in the summer of 2018, says he “does not anxiety” more accidents but grapples with it mentally.

“I won’t lie, often it comes about individuals thoughts,” he reported.

“Every time I go a step ahead in the restoration I sense self-confident to do it.

“In my personal encounter I really don’t have that dread, but of program I have views that a little something might materialize all over again. But you have to go from these fears and views, and you will be all right.”

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