Swiss striker has been diagnosed with a serious knee injury and now faces long recovery…
Noel Ott, the young superstar was injured during the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Portugal 2015 Qualifier Europe – Jesolo this past week but is expected to make a full recovery.
Initial speculation was that Ott had between a Grade 1-3 strained ligament but after medical examination back in Switzerland this Monday, the most feared scenario has been confirmed: he has two torn ligaments, ACL and MCL, as well as a tear in his meniscus. The structural damage is serious enough that he will be forced to stop playing beach soccer for several months, but his injury is fairly common among professional athletes and thanks to his physical complexion, he will fully recuperate sooner rather than later.
Ott and his coach, Angelo Schirinzi, are in high spirits as the player is in the best possible hands and will be working with knee specialists to make sure his time off will be short and as smooth as possible. Ott is only 20 years old so the recovery process should be quick with no long-term ill effects.
The Nati and Ott dazzled their way through the first two group stages and in a match in which they defeated Azerbaijan and qualified for the 2015 World Cup, the first team in Jesolo to do so, Ott went down writhing in pain. Ott had helped his team build a lead and eventually win, so there was a bittersweet taste in the team’s mouth right after the game, which was very obvious. The team rallied behind Ott and finished the qualifier in second place behind Russia, despite playing without the talismanic number 11.
This season has been the final confirmation that Ott is a huge star, no longer a promise of potential. With his goals and talent, he has helped the Swiss side back into the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, and also to an excellent performance in the European season, to date, he has already collected many individual awards, including the Euro Beach Soccer League Most Valuable Player award.
Although his breakout season was put on hold, everyone in the beach soccer family wants to wish him a speedy recovery and is excited to once again see his magic on the pitch.
