'Sexism is the risk factor': the race to learn more about ACL injuries

Experts suggest that a lack of resources, rather than biology, is key to the worrying trend among female players

- Stephen Burgen , Hannah Cauhépé 

After 30 years of research, it is still a mystery why female footballers are five to eight times more likely to sustain a career-threatening anterior cruciate ligament injury than their male counterparts.

For physicians such as Joan Carles Monllau, one of Europe's top orthopaedic surgeons who has operated on the double Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas's ACL injury, as well as Barcelona men's star Gavi and many other top players, biology remains the determining factor in why women are more prone to ACL injuries.

Putellas, a key player for Barcelona and Spain, spent almost a year on the sidelines after being injured in July 2022. Gavi, injured in November in a Spain qualifier against Georgia, will miss the rest of the season and Euro 2024. For many players it will take a whole year to get back to full fitness.

Elsewhere Sam Kerr, Chelsea's key striker, is on the long road back after her ACL injury in January.

"These injuries are common in sports that require players to stop suddenly while rotating their body," Monllau says, adding that in this respect women are at a disadvantage. Whether through training or a process of selection, many successful male footballers are bow-legged. "Women not only have a wider pelvis, their legs are straighter and this makes them more prone to this sort of injury."