There were hundreds of hours of treatment, much sacrifice, shortened holidays and rigorous discipline. Initially expected only in November, in order to scrupulously respect the protocols and the care that an injury of this magnitude requires [complete tear of the anterior cruciate ligament of the right knee], the forward's return materialised almost two months ahead of even the most optimistic forecasts.
The "secret" to significantly shortening the timescales was the athlete's determination from the very first minute. The surgery, performed in Madrid at his own request, marked only the starting point, in February, of a true rehabilitation marathon. Once at Olival, the Spanish international underwent an extremely high-intensity work plan that even included three-a-day sessions. His routine was divided between the gym, specific treatments and functional recovery, with an unusual daily commitment.
Samu's dedication was total, to the point that he gave up a large part of his holiday period at the end of last season so as not to interrupt his clinical progress. Even during the brief days when he travelled to Spain to rest with his family, the rehabilitation plan did not pause at all. FC Porto ensured daily monitoring of the player through a physiotherapist from the blue-and-white structure, who travelled with the athlete and directed all the work on site, under the leadership of Pedro Miguel Silva, whom the forward made a point of thanking in a long message published last week.
Beyond the mental side and discipline, the player's physiology and genetic capacity proved decisive in accelerating the process without putting his physical integrity at risk. Studies published in the specialist literature indicate timescales of six to nine months to return to playing. And Farioli said several times that November was the expected timeframe and that no stages would be skipped.
The truth is that the strength, muscle response and ability to overcome demonstrated in the gym sessions left everyone in charge impressed, allowing load levels to be increased progressively and safely. Not long ago, the player made a post with a video in which he was doing a leg exercise with 200 kilograms. This proves that his physical parameters and strength levels are even better than those he had before being injured, as Farioli mentioned. Especially because, it should be stressed, no athlete can return to competition with less muscle mass than is acceptable.
Before the game with City, Samu appeared training in full view of everyone for the first time and, a few days later, was used for 15 minutes in a friendly with Académica. The responses given by the player were positive and, after a new reassessment by FC Porto's medical department and the specialists who operated on him, green light was given for his return to the squad and to the pitch officially. It was "only" five minutes with Benfica, but all the emotions that Samu did not hide confirmed that the effort had paid off. "223 days later... back to the place where I always wanted to be. Thank you, God, for sustaining me throughout this whole difficult path. Thank you to my family, my friends and all the Portistas for all the affection and support I received during these months," reacted the forward through social media.