Vivianne Miedema’s Season Likely Over Due to Injury: A Blow for Manchester City and the Netherlands
In a development that has sent shockwaves through the football community, Manchester City boss Nick Cushing has confirmed that star forward Vivianne Miedema is expected to miss the remainder of the season due to a hamstring injury. This news comes as a significant setback for both her club and the Dutch national team.
The injury occurred during the Netherlands’ Nations League clash against Austria earlier this week. Post-match, Dutch national coach Andreas Jonker expressed his deep disappointment, stating he was “extremely disappointed” about her injury setback and didn’t foresee a quick return to action. His sentiments were echoed by Cushing, who shared Jonker’s pessimism about Miedema’s injury.
“We’ve lost Viv and that’s something the medical team are ongoing with. She’s positive but it’s not looking good in the sense of being able to imminently impact any of our games,” Cushing told a news conference on Friday. “It’s hugely disappointing for Viv because of the role she’s played on the pitch and for me personally because she’s been so pivotal in the results I’ve got with this team.”
Cushing continued, “She’s played a huge role in dragging this team up and she’s done the same today in the meeting room and on the training pitch. She’s positive and concentrating on rehab now, and we’ll give her all the support she needs to be back out there as quick as possible.”
A History of Injuries
Miedema has had a challenging few years with injuries. She missed significant portions of the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury while at Arsenal in December 2022. Her return to action was not without its hurdles, as the 28-year-old underwent minor knee surgery in March 2024.
After joining Manchester City in the summer on a free transfer, Miedema’s injury woes continued. She already missed three months of the season following surgery in October last year on a knee injury.
Recent Form and Future Prospects
Despite these setbacks, Miedema had recently begun to find her form at City. She was awarded the club’s player of the month in March, thanks to her six goal involvements, including a brace against Chelsea in the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinal. Her performance was a testament to her resilience and skill, making her latest injury all the more heartbreaking.
She also managed to get on the scoresheet for the Netherlands in the ill-fated game against Austria. Now, she faces a race against time to regain fitness for the women’s Euros this summer, a tournament where her presence would be invaluable for the Dutch team.
Key Points to Consider
- Miedema’s injury is a significant blow to both Manchester City and the Netherlands national team.
- Her history of injuries has been a persistent challenge over the past few years.
- Despite her setbacks, Miedema has shown remarkable form when fit, as evidenced by her recent performances.
- The timeline for her return remains uncertain, with hopes pinned on her recovery in time for the women’s Euros.
As the football world rallies around Miedema, her journey to recovery will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike. Her determination and positive attitude, as highlighted by Cushing, will undoubtedly play a crucial role in her rehabilitation process.
Information from ESPN Netherlands contributed to this report.
Originally Written by: ESPN
