The defender is expected to return early in 2014 - possibly later - but until then, Badstuber faces the toughest challenge of his career.
It is a battle that will be both physical and mental. He has already put the misery of the original injury behind him and is now looking to the future. "You always think of the big events," he said, whilst acknowledging that the 2014 FIFA World Cup is still "a long way away". He cannot influence the healing process, but he does not feel under any pressure. That you can believe.
His goal is to return to fitness – whenever that may be. The here and now as well as accepting the injury are what matter most. “You have to forget about it at some point because it doesn’t help the recovery process to be thinking about it all the time,” Badstuber said, reflecting a change is his own attitude as a footballer.
"Don’t moan so much" and think positively are the sum parts of his new philosophy. His doctor has assured him his career is not under threat. Not that Badstuber has any worries on that front: “I know that everything will be good again,” he said
After such a long period on the sidelines, Badstuber hopes to come out the other side not only having made a complete recovery, but as a different person too. "Once I’m through with it, I’ll be emotionally stronger than other people," he affirmed, his thoughts firmly focused on the future.
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It has not been easy of late for Holger Badstuber. Questions surrounding his career and future with FC Bayern and the German national side have taken their toll - and sometimes it shows.
Reporting for pre-season training on the banks of Lake Garda, Badstuber practised alone. A hole in the fence offered him a glimpse at his Bayern team-mates at work. The fact that he is there, though, makes all the difference.
Badstuber is optimistic, if not a little frustrated at the same time. "When you’re out injured for seven months, you’re bound to have your bad days," he said openly. And no one would begrudge him a few of those.
Back to square one
He is only 24, but since tearing a cruciate ligament in his right knee against Borussia Dortmund on December 1, 2012, the defender’s playing career has come under the spotlight.
After an intense period of rehabilitation, he returned to light training at the end of April. A delighted Badstuber took to the social networks to express his comeback joy, but another ligament tear promptly stopped him in his tracks and put him back to square one.
Now, under new coach Pep Guardiola, he is ready to fight his way back, although he will need to be patient. Soon he will have further surgery, where an artificial ligament will be taken from his healthy left knee and inserted into the right one in place of the ruptured ligament. After that, Badstuber can slowly but surely get back into the swing of things.
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World Cup 2014 "a long way away"
The defender is expected to return early in 2014 - possibly later - but until then, Badstuber faces the toughest challenge of his career.
It is a battle that will be both physical and mental. He has already put the misery of the original injury behind him and is now looking to the future. "You always think of the big events," he said, whilst acknowledging that the 2014 FIFA World Cup is still "a long way away". He cannot influence the healing process, but he does not feel under any pressure. That you can believe.
His goal is to return to fitness – whenever that may be. The here and now as well as accepting the injury are what matter most. “You have to forget about it at some point because it doesn’t help the recovery process to be thinking about it all the time,” Badstuber said, reflecting a change is his own attitude as a footballer.
"Don’t moan so much" and think positively are the sum parts of his new philosophy. His doctor has assured him his career is not under threat. Not that Badstuber has any worries on that front: “I know that everything will be good again,” he said
After such a long period on the sidelines, Badstuber hopes to come out the other side not only having made a complete recovery, but as a different person too. "Once I’m through with it, I’ll be emotionally stronger than other people," he affirmed, his thoughts firmly focused on the future.
