Soccer injuries explained: Causes, trends, and how science is helping prevent them

The physical cost of sports: Soccer injuries explained, from ankle sprains to torn ACLs

The Messis and Ronaldos of the world make it look easy. But behind the footwork and the goals, soccer puts intense strain on the body. From torn ACLs to ankle injuries, playing can come with consequences. NBC6 spoke to experts about the physical weight of the sport and what every player, at any level, should know.

Soccer injuries explained: Causes, trends, and how science is helping prevent them

Soccer is faster and more physically demanding than ever—and injuries are one of the biggest challenges facing the modern game. Muscle strains, ligament damage and long-term rehabilitation can affect team performance, player welfare and club finances. As the FIFA World Cup 2026 gets underway, Professor Ian Varley—an expert in soccer injury surveillance at Nottingham Trent University—explains why injuries happen, which are most common and how science is reducing the risk.