John McGinn, the Scottish star who recently recovered from an injury that nearly cost him a spot in the World Cup, opened up about the fear he felt when he was hurt. At 31 years old, the Aston Villa midfielder faced the biggest battle of his career after a surgery that left him in a state of apprehension. Now, with Scotland heading to a world tournament after a 28-year wait, McGinn reflects on what was a true nightmare.
“I was terrified,” McGinn confessed, recalling the moment he left the pitch at Villa Park with a knee injury. “I remember feeling immediately that something wasn’t right. It was only 10 or 15 minutes into the game against Everton. When I blocked a pass, I knew my body wasn’t reacting as it should.” With that concern, he immediately raised his hand, aware of the history of players who faced similar injuries and endured long rehabilitation periods.
Fortunately, a scan revealed that the injury was less severe than feared. “The knee can react in various ways after surgery, but it could have been much, much worse. I expected to be out for six to eight weeks, but I managed to return in six,” McGinn said, relieved by the good news.
In his recovery, McGinn even considered the possibility of playing without surgery, a desire driven by the importance of the phase Aston Villa was in. “It was a critical moment for the club and the season was heating up, with big games ahead. But as the days went by, my knee started to swell and accumulate more fluid. Despite wanting to be brave, it became clear that I needed surgery. At 31, you have to take care of your body,” he explained.
McGinn’s absence coincided with a difficult period for Aston Villa, which won only once in seven games. Since his return, however, the team has managed to win three of their last four matches, with McGinn contributing important goals. Although title hopes were dashed by Arsenal’s overwhelming lead, Villa is still in pursuit of a Champions League spot, just one point behind Manchester United and five points clear of Liverpool.
“We got very close to the Champions League last season, losing on goal difference, and that hurt. We are using that pain as motivation,” McGinn said, highlighting the faith in Aston Villa’s potential, which is also preparing for a quarter-final clash in the Europa League against Bologna.
He sees parallels between Aston Villa’s recovery and his own journey with the Scottish national team. “I take great pride in helping both the club and the national team return to a position we haven’t occupied in a long time,” he stated.
With a history that dates back to their first international match in 2016, McGinn reflects on the team’s evolution: “Looking back, it feels like a long time ago. The difference in expectations now is remarkable,” he said, acknowledging that there is still much to improve. “We know we have a long way to go, but as a small nation, we have to compete against bigger countries. We don’t have the same facilities, but we are here to make our mark.”
As Scotland prepares to shine on the international stage, McGinn’s determination and resilience are examples of the spirit he and his teammates will bring to the pitches of America.
This article first appeared on Apito Final.
Discover more from Apito Final
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
