Aaron Ramsey has opened up about a terrifying period in his life when he genuinely feared he would never walk properly again, making his recent marathon completion all the more remarkable.
The former Wales and Arsenal midfielder, who retired from professional football earlier this year, crossed the finish line of a marathon in a time that left plenty of people seriously impressed. But the achievement means far more than just a good time on a results sheet.
Ramsey revealed that during one of the darker chapters of his career, the injuries he suffered left him questioning whether he would ever move freely again, let alone run 26.2 miles. For someone who spent the best part of two decades playing at the highest level of the game, that kind of uncertainty must have been genuinely frightening.
The Cardiff-born midfielder built a career most footballers can only dream about. He came through the ranks at Cardiff City before Arsenal snapped him up as a teenager, and he went on to become one of the most recognisable Welsh footballers of his generation. Two FA Cup final goals, a long stint in north London, moves to Juventus, Rangers and beyond, and of course that iconic moment when he captained Wales during their extraordinary Euro 2016 campaign.
But football at that level takes a brutal toll on the body. Ramsey suffered serious injury problems throughout his career, most notably the horrific broken leg he sustained in 2010 when he was just 19 years old. That injury alone would have finished many careers before they properly started. Ramsey fought back, but the road was long and there were clearly moments when the future looked very uncertain.
His retirement earlier this year brought the curtain down on a career that, despite the injury interruptions, delivered so much for both club and country. For Wales fans especially, Ramsey will always hold a special place. His performances in France during Euro 2016 were genuinely world class, and he was central to a Welsh golden generation that also included Gareth Bale and brought the nation its greatest international football moments in decades.
Now 33, Ramsey appears to be embracing life after football with real enthusiasm. Taking on a marathon is no small thing for anyone, but for a former professional athlete managing the physical legacy of years of injuries, it carries extra weight. The fact that he not only completed the race but did so in a time that turned heads says plenty about his dedication and physical condition.
Marathon running has become increasingly popular among retired sportspeople. There is something about the individual challenge, the mental grind of those final miles, that appeals to people who have spent their careers in team environments. For Ramsey, who spent so long relying on and performing for teammates, taking on a challenge that is entirely down to himself must feel quite different.
His openness about fearing he would never walk again adds a powerful layer to the story. Athletes are often expected to project strength and confidence, and many stay quiet about the genuine fear that comes with serious injury. By talking about those dark thoughts, Ramsey is being honest in a way that will resonate with a lot of people, not just sports fans but anyone who has faced a health scare and wondered what the other side looks like.
Wales has produced some brilliant footballers over the years, and Ramsey sits comfortably among the best of them. His legacy on the pitch is already secure. But if his post-retirement chapter is going to be defined by taking on physical challenges and being open about the mental and physical battles that come with them, then there is clearly plenty more to admire about the man beyond what he did in a football shirt.
For anyone who watched him terrorise defences across Europe, seeing him power through a marathon finish line is a pretty special image. Not bad for someone who once feared the worst.