Borna Barisic’s injury is nothing short of devastating, both on a personal level and for his career. After years of service at Rangers, where he became a key figure in the club’s successes, his departure was meant to signal a new chapter in his footballing journey. However, things haven’t gone to plan since he left Ibrox. His move to Trabzonspor didn’t work out, and he found himself looking for another fresh start. When the opportunity to join Leganes in La Liga came up, it must have felt like a lifeline—a chance to showcase his quality in one of Europe’s top leagues and to prove that he could still compete at the highest level.
But in the cruelest twist of fate, his debut for Leganes lasted just ten minutes before disaster struck. A cruciate ligament tear is one of the worst injuries a footballer can suffer, and for a player at 32 years old, it’s even more devastating. The recovery process for an ACL injury is lengthy and grueling, typically taking anywhere from nine months to a year. Even then, there’s no guarantee that a player will return to their previous level, especially when age is already working against them.
For Barisic, this injury has come at a time when he was trying to rebuild his career. His spell in Turkey had already been disappointing, and while Leganes were offering him a chance to prove himself again, he now faces the reality of being out of action for an entire season. By the time he is fit again, he will be close to 34 years old, and Leganes—who are fighting to stay competitive in La Liga—may have moved on by then. The nature of modern football is ruthless, and long-term injuries often make clubs rethink their plans. It raises the difficult question of whether Barisic will have a place in the squad when he eventually recovers, or if he will be forced to look for yet another club willing to take a chance on him.
Despite the brutal nature of the injury, one of the most uplifting aspects of this ordeal has been the overwhelming support he has received. His Leganes teammates paid him a touching tribute by wearing t-shirts that read “Ánimo Barisic” before their match against Alaves. The word “ánimo” in Spanish roughly translates to “stay strong” or “you can do it,” a clear message of encouragement to their injured teammate. Given that Barisic had only been at the club for a matter of days, it speaks volumes about the respect and admiration he had already earned within the dressing room. His heartfelt Instagram message—where he stated that sometimes it only takes a few days to make friends for life—shows just how much the gesture meant to him.
Beyond Leganes, the football world has also rallied around Barisic. The Croatian national team, for whom he has earned 35 caps, sent a message of support on Instagram, demonstrating that he still holds a place of importance in his country’s footballing community. The presidents of Trabzonspor and Deportivo Alaves also reached out, despite having no direct ties to him anymore, which further highlights how well-respected he is within the game.
Perhaps the most significant message of all, however, came from Real Madrid and Spain legend Emilio Butragueño. Writing on behalf of Real Madrid president Florentino Perez and the entire club, Butragueño offered words of encouragement, assuring Barisic that despite the difficult road ahead, he would eventually return to full fitness and help his team achieve its goals. This is no small gesture—Real Madrid is the biggest club in world football, and for them to take the time to send a personal letter of support speaks to Barisic’s reputation and character.
But while the outpouring of support is touching, the reality of the situation remains daunting. The road to recovery from an ACL injury is incredibly challenging, requiring not just physical rehabilitation but also immense mental strength. Many players never fully regain their previous form after such an injury, and given Barisic’s age, it’s fair to wonder whether he will ever be able to perform at the level he once did.
His style of play has always relied heavily on his physical attributes—his overlapping runs, his ability to deliver crosses with precision, and his stamina in getting up and down the left flank. An ACL tear threatens all of that, as it can reduce a player’s mobility, acceleration, and confidence in their movement. Even if he makes a full recovery, it may take time for him to regain match sharpness, and at 33 or 34 years old, time is not on his side.
If Leganes decide to move on from him, Barisic may have to consider his options carefully. Will another club in Europe’s top leagues be willing to take a chance on a player returning from such a serious injury at his age? Or will he be forced to look at a move to a lower level, perhaps back to Croatia or even MLS, where he could still contribute without the same physical demands?
Whatever happens, Barisic will need to show immense determination to get through the next year. He has always been a fighter—his time at Rangers saw him go from struggling to cement a place in the team to becoming a key player in a title-winning side. If anyone has the mental strength to battle back from this, it’s him. However, football is an unforgiving game, and it remains to be seen whether this injury will mark the beginning of the end of his time at the highest level or if he can make an unlikely comeback.
What do you think? Does Barisic have what it takes to return stronger, or will this injury force him to rethink his career plans?