It’s sometimes difficult to remember that football players are human too, but one time when that reality hits home is when they are subject to horrific personal tragedies.
Looking back in recent years, here are 9 occasions where footballers have overcome such times and continued to play the game we all love…
Jake Livermore
The Hull City midfielder tragically lost his newborn son as he was born, with an ongoing legal case ascertaining whether it was caused by a series of blunder by the hospital. Livermore struggled to cope with the death of his newborn Jake Jr, failing a random drugs test for cocaine in the aftermath.
Things have got a lot better though, with the 27-year-old returning to be a key player for the Tigers on their return to the Premier League after the FA waived punishment, and becoming a father again.
Rio Ferdinand
One of the greatest central defenders to ever grace the Premier League, Rio Ferdinand’s personal life reached the headlines for all the wrong reasons in May 2015, after his wife Rebecca Ellison passed away after a short battle with breast cancer.
The former Manchester United and England defender announced his retirement from the game shortly after, in what was his first and final season with QPR, but he has remained in the football spotlight by becoming a prominent pundit.
Sexual Abuse Victims
2016 saw the infamous Barry Bennell sexual abuse scandal come to light, with several footballers waiving their right of anonymity to share the stories of being abused as children and young teenagers by various football coaches.
Former England international Paul Stewart and ex-Manchester City striker David White were the most high profile footballers named, but there were plenty more including Andy Woodward (pictured, second from left).
Sir Bobby Charlton
A legend of the game, it could have all been completely different had Sir Bobby Chalrton not swapped seats in the plane prior to the horrific Munich Air Disaster, which claimed the lives of the majority of his Manchester United teammates in 1958.
Surviving the tragedy with only minor injuries, the all time top scorer of the Red Devils would go on to become one of the greatest English footballers of all time; helping the Three Lions to World Cup success and United to European Cup glory in 1966 and 1968 respectively, while also picking up the Ballon d’Or.
Colin Cooper
Whilst playing for Middlesbrough in his second spell with the Teeside club, retired defender Colin Cooper lost his two-year-old son in a tragic accident at home, where the toddler choked on a metal screw.
The twice-capped England international went to play for Boro for four more years and upon his retirement helped create the Finlay Cooper Fund, a children’s charity in honour of his late child.
Jermain Defoe
Hotshot Premier League striker Jermain Defoe was in the midst of making his mark during a second spell with Tottenham Hotspur in April 2009 when his half-brother Jade was killed after entering a brawl in east London.
A single punch sent Defoe’s sibling into a coma from which he would never wake up, with the perpetrator sent to jail as a result. Despite the tragedy, the former England international continued playing at the highest level and is still scoring goals for Sunderland.
Yaya and Kolo Toure
Staying with brothers who passed away, Kolo and Yaya Toure were in Brazil representing Ivory Coast at the 2014 World Cup when they were informed of the passing of brother Ibrahim, who died following a battle with cancer.
The 28-year-old was also a professional footballer, although more of an obscure journeyman and never took the field for the Ivorian national team. Despite his death, Toure’s father insisted that both Kolo and Yaya stay in Brazil to complete their national duties.
Harry Arter
The fact that Arter was selected as the Supporters’ Player of the Season in Bournemouth’s first year in the Premier League only goes to show the admiration that Cherries fans felt for their combative midfielder after the year he went through.
The Republic of Ireland international lost his baby daughter at birth in December 2015, halfway through the season. Nonetheless, he continued to be an integral part to the club’s success and is now expecting a child next month.
Wilson Palacios
Formerly of Wigan Athletic, Tottenham Hotspur and Stoke City, Wilson Palacios was involved in a horrific battle to free his 14-year-old brother Edwin from captivity back in his native Honduras while playing for Spurs in 2009.
Unfortunately, Edwin’s body was found six months after he was kidnapped. The defensive midfielder continued to play despite the family tragedy and was involved in a World Cup qualifier the day after the funeral.
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