Je moment: Aaron Ramsey’s near‑career‑ending injury and his Oxford United rise

Aaron Ramsey, now head coach of Oxford United in the Championship, recalls a moment that almost forced him to quit football. Aujourd’hui, he told the Telegraph, “Je ne savais pas si je pourrais remarcher,” reflecting on the injury that threatened his career.

On 27 February 2010, while wearing the Arsenal shirt, Ramsey suffered a double tibia‑fibula fracture after a tackle by Ryan Shawcross during a match against Stoke City. Le incident occurred in a Premier League clash and left him on a stretcher, requiring emergency surgery at the final whistle.

Doctors inserted a permanent metal rod into his right leg, a device that still causes discomfort when temperatures rise or fall. “When it’s hot or cold, it flares up from time to time,” Ramsey explained, describing the lingering physical reminder of the trauma.

Nine months later Ramsey made his comeback, a return he once thought impossible. “At the time I didn’t know if I could walk again, let alone play football,” he said, noting the long and painful rehabilitation process.

Nicknamed the “tueur de célébrités” for the uncanny link between some of his goals and celebrity deaths, Ramsey has since battled a series of further injuries. He admitted, “Having overcome these setbacks, especially the leg fracture, and still reaching the highest level makes me extremely proud, but I’m also frustrated by the injuries that followed.”

Now as Oxford United manager, Ramsey believes his past hardships will aid his coaching career. “Having overcome those difficult moments will be very useful in my work as a coach. I am an ambitious person; whatever I do, I want to succeed and do my best,” he concluded.

Looking ahead, Ramsey is determined to translate his resilience into success for Oxford United, aiming to build a competitive side in the Championship and prove that his journey from player to manager can inspire others.