Juve star close on quitting football after 18 different major injuries

Juventus winger Douglas Costa has revealed he was close on quitting football at just the aged 29 after 18 different major injuries hell and has now hired a mental coach to help.

Brazil international has suffered 18 different major injuries during his career with the worst a calf injury that ruled him out for nearly four months last season.

Costa has been limited to just 18 games in all competitions after he had trouble with hamstring and calf injuries and is more than frustrated with those who claim he could be one of the best to play the game if only he was healthy.

The Brazilian star opened up to The Players’ Tribune, saying: “There are times when I think: ‘Can I still play?.

“[That’s] because I go out on the pitch and get injured again.

“Then, when I watch it on TV, I remember this is my passion and that I can still play at a high level.

“This is what keeps me alive, I know football comes easy to me. It has nothing to do with money or being famous.

“The point is to do what you enjoy and have fun doing it. That’s my objective.

Costa went on to say he has hired a professional to help him cope with the mental demands of being ruled out of action.

He continued: “People say, ‘Douglas has the potential to be one of the best in the world, but injuries are holding him back’.

“That annoys me. I have the potential to be a top player, but for reasons out of my control, I can’t be.

“Every time I get injured, I ask myself: ‘What did I do wrong?’ I wonder why I can’t play consistently. It’s something that hurts me.

“I joke with Alex Sandro that I’ve had more scans than I’ve played games.”

The former Shakhtar, Bayern, and Grêmio man has only managed to make 90 Juventus appearances in nearly three-and-a-half years at Juventus with nine goals to his name.