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Nigerian striker, Victor Boniface, has once again made headlines after reports in Germany claimed that his proposed move to AC Milan collapsed following concerns over his fitness and medical history.

According to BILD, the Bayer Leverkusen forward underwent four separate tests in Italy, but the Rossoneri opted to pull out of the deal.

Boniface has since returned to Germany, leaving questions over his next move.

But Boniface is not the first footballer to see a transfer stall at the medical table.


Over the years, several top stars have failed medical examinations, only to bounce back and carve out illustrious careers.

Here are 10 famous cases:

1. Nwankwo Kanu (1996)

Fresh from winning Olympic gold with Nigeria in Atlanta, Kanu returned to complete his move from Ajax to Inter Milan in 1996.

During his medicals, doctors discovered a serious heart defect and advised him to quit football.

Inter could have cancelled the deal, but the club stood by him.

After surgery and five months out, Kanu returned to action, went on to play for Arsenal, won the UEFA Cup, two Premier League titles, and had a 14-year career at the top.

2. Ruud van Nistelrooy (2000)

Manchester United agreed an £18.5m deal for the Dutch striker in April 2000, but a knee issue saw him fail his medical.

A day later, he ruptured his cruciate ligament in training.

Sir Alex Ferguson, however, refused to give up, and a year later United signed him for £19m. Van Nistelrooy repaid the faith with 150 goals in five seasons.

3. John Hartson (2000)

Wimbledon striker, John Hartson, was set for a £6.5m move to Rangers in 2000, only for doctors to raise concerns about his knee.

Subsequent moves to Spurs and Charlton also collapsed. But Celtic took the gamble in 2001, and Hartson went on to score 109 goals for the club, becoming a fan favourite.

4. Andrey Arshavin (2009)

The Russian playmaker’s switch from Zenit St. Petersburg to Arsenal almost broke down after a heart-related issue was spotted during his medical.

After retests, the deal went through 24 hours after deadline day and Arshavin went on to score 31 goals for the Gunners, including his famous four-goal haul at Anfield.

He scored the winning goal against Barcelona in the 2011 Champions League round of 16 first-leg clash.

5. Radamel Falcao (2016)

The Colombian striker’s loan spell at Chelsea was marred by injury troubles.

When Monaco recalled him in 2016, he failed their medical.

A proposed move to Atletico Madrid also collapsed.

Yet, he later rediscovered his form at Monaco, firing them to the 2017 Champions League semi-finals.

6. Victor Valdés (2014)

Barcelona legend, Victor Valdés, signed a pre-contract with Monaco, but a cruciate ligament injury ended the deal.

Monaco pulled out, leaving him clubless. Manchester United eventually offered him a lifeline, signing him as David de Gea’s backup.

7. Gabriel Milito (2003)

Real Madrid targeted the Argentine defender in 2003, but cancelled the deal after he failed his medical due to a knee injury.

Instead, he joined Real Zaragoza, where he excelled, playing over 170 games in four years before moving to Barcelona in 2007.

8. Loïc Rémy (2014)

Liverpool thought they had secured the QPR striker in 2014, but a heart problem saw him fail his medical.

Chelsea later activated his release clause, and he went on to win the Premier League with the Blues, proving the scare unfounded.

9. Nabil Fekir (2018)

Liverpool were on the brink of sealing a €60m deal for Frenchman and Lyon captain Nabil Fekir in 2018. But concerns over a past knee injury led the move to collapse.

Months later, Fekir lifted the World Cup with France and later joined Real Betis, where he remains a key figure.

10. Demba Ba (2011)

The Senegalese striker failed medicals at Stuttgart (2009) and Stoke City (2011). Yet, he went on to shine in the Premier League with West Ham, Newcastle, and Chelsea, famously scoring after Steven Gerrard’s slip at Anfield in 2014.

Source: https://punchng.com/boniface-10-footballers-who-failed-medicals-yet-built-successful-careers/

I guess this thread is for all those who were supposedly shocked that players do fail medicals

Don't give up Victor Boniface. Hang in there, you will bounce back.

He's been a naughty boy..
But I think he can continue with his comedy.. makes him easy to relate with. Not all those proud basstards the you still stream their songs with your data

Una no dey tire?? Make I go find the remaining characters

If life gives you lemon make out lemonade from it.

Great100000:
Good luck to our own Victor Boniface.

I believe that this is just a bit setback but you will surely bounce back.

Good luck once again Boniface and come back stronger.

Exactly…. He will hopefully bounce back and better..

Quite an encouraging post for my guy Bonny. Wish him well, I trust he will be backand better.

Alot of people most especially those who are not football loving fans didn't know this..

Kudos, they are even more than that, but OP did justice to educate people

Before soso media days, no big deal in fail medicals

Mistersolar:
I saw Andres Iniesta and Emmanuel Adebayor advertising for two different bet company, and im highly highly dissapointed

They don't see it as anything, betting is not good for a responsible person to engage with

Apart from been a player on d pitch u are also a very good content creator.

Mistersolar:
I saw Andres Iniesta and Emmanuel Adebayor advertising for two different bet company, and im highly highly dissapointed

So they should refuse a deal of being paid...??

Be like u nor sabi how rich betting companies are.....many of them are even owners/partners in those company...

yes refuse

advanceDNA:
So they should refuse a deal of being paid...??

Be like u nor sabi how rich betting companies are.....many of them are even owners/partners in those company...

Please spell words correctly when you post, and try to use perfect grammar and punctuation.
22. Don't ask Nairaland members for contact details (email, phone, bbpin) or investment

Mistersolar:
yes refuse Please spell words correctly when you post, and try to use perfect grammar and punctuation.
22. Don't ask Nairaland members for contact details (email, phone, bbpin) or investment

...refuse money....?

Lol..u funny man..

Even morinho that is still receiving salary from a club is doing advert for bet companies let alone foot ballers that are no longer receiving armed robber salary

Make una hold Boniface oo make him no kpai himself. I know Nigerians will come for him but let him understand that a failed medical test is not the end of life itself

Even C. Ronaldo. He did heart surgery too. I read something on that

When you're not really sure about something, any small thing is a tangible excuse.