Footballer Demba Ba says he will not retire and reveals he’s yet to have full operation after horrific leg break

Demba Ba has confirmed he does not plan to retire from football, despite suffering a horrific leg break. The 31-year-old who now plays for Chinese Super League side, Shanghai Shenhua, fractured his left tibia on Sunday, after a tangle with Shanghai SIPG defender, Sun Xiang.

After the match, the Senegal forward’s coach Gregorio Manzano said the injury “could end his professional career”.

Speaking to Radio Monte Carlo from his hospital bed in Shanghai, China, former Chelsea player Demba Ba said:

“This is a really bad injury but I know I can overcome it. I won’t call time on my career, that’s for sure. They haven’t done the full operation because I told them to wait. I wanted to go to Europe to have it done but when I learned that was not possible I arranged with the doctor here to sort me out a French surgeon who should arrive shortly. He will operate on me.”

“There are other players who have returned from similar injuries, like Hatem Ben Arfa,” he added. “Something similar happened to me earlier in my career and the treatment options are much better now. I think I’ll make a speedier return this time.

“The season here ends in November and the new one starts in March. I’ll do my best to return in time for the season after that.”