Second Acts and comebacks, Part Twelve

1- Alessandro Del Piero and Juventus 2000/01

Talented Juventus and Italian forward Alessandro Del Piero had been struggling for form after a serious injury in late 1998.

In Fact he struggled to the point that he was able to score only one goal from open play in the following season (1999/2000).

However, in 2000/02, he slowly started to regain his old form and his way back into scoring goals regularly.

 Photo From:  World Soccer, November 1999

(Juventus’ Alessandro Del Piero)

2- Junior and Flamengo/Brazil, 1992

Brazil’s Junior had been out of the National Team since the 1986 World Cup.

He had returned to Brazil from European Football to wind down his career at his old club Flamengo.

However, he was able to earn an International recall at the age of 37 in 1992 under Carlos Alberto Parrerira.

Photo From:  Onze-Mondial, Issue 43, August 1992

(Junior upon his return to Brazil National team in 1992)

Photo From:  Onze-Mondial, Issue 43, August 1992

(Junior with Carlos Alberto Pareira and Mario Zagalo, 1992)

3- Kevin Keegan and Newcastle United, 1982/84

English star Kevin Keegan had joined Newcastle in 1982 (still in the Second Division) to wind down his career. However, his presence electrified the team and the region and the team’s fortunes changed.

He led the squad to promotion in 1984 before retiring.

Photo From: Onze, Issue 102, June 1984

(Kevin Keegan and Alan Hansen, May 17, 1984, Kevin Keegan Farewell Match, Newcastle United 2-Liverpool 2)

4- Ian Durrant and Rangers Glasgow 1991
Scottish midfielder was an up and coming Scottish International when his career came abruptly to halt in October 1988 after suffering an injury at the hands of Aberdeen’s Neil Simpson (he later brought a lawsuit against him).

After being out of the game for nearly three years he made his return at the end of the 1990/91 season. He regained his form and the following season, he also made his way back into the Scottish National Team.

Photo From: 90 minutes, March 12, 1994

(Ian Durrant of Rangers Glasgow, 1993/94)

5- Ruud van Nistlerooy and Manchester United 2001

Dutch striker Ruud van Nistlerooy was initially supposed to join Manchester United in 2000, however, a bad injury delayed his signing.

He overcame his injury the following and fought his way back to fitness and in the summer of 2001, he finally joined Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United to great effect.

Photo From:  World Soccer, Summer 2001

(Holland’s Ruud van Nistlerooy)