Thiago Alcantara, Ronaldo, Eden Hazard and the football superstars whose careers were blighted by injury

We sometimes forget how precarious the life of footballer can be. One moment of misfortune can shorten, ruin or even end a career - and there's nothing sadder than seeing a truly exceptional talent sidelined by injury.

Of course, some players are punished for failing to properly look after themselves, while others are just plain unfortunate, cursed with bodies incapable of coping with the rigours of the modern game.

Below, GOAL runs through some of the most high-profile victims of persistent fitness problems, from teenage prodigies prevented from realising their full potential, to stars that simply faded after incessant injury issues...