Alebiosu opens up on two-year knee ordeal

Super Eagles defender Ryan Alebiosu has opened up on the two years he spent out of football with a knee problem as a teenager, a spell he described as depressing, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

The Blackburn Rovers right-back said the problem affected both knees when he was about 15, leaving him unable to run or walk properly. Doctors were unable to find the cause and could not tell him whether he needed surgery.

“They did not know what was going on. I could not run. I could not walk. They did not know if I needed surgery or anything with it because I had pain in both of my knees and they did not know what was causing it. It was non-specific knee pain,” he told the Lancashire Telegraph.

“Obviously, it was kind of depressing having about two years of not playing football because of this knee injury. This was when I was about 15 and went on for a couple of years. I could not play.”

Alebiosu said the hardest part was watching others move on, saying, “It was frustrating because I was a kid and everyone was progressing and I am just waiting to see when this is going to go. I was always hoping for the best, to be honest.”

The pain eased as he got older, and his speed returned at around 18. The 24-year-old has since had spells at Arsenal, Crewe Alexandra, Kilmarnock, Kortrijk and St Mirren, before joining Blackburn in 2025. He has played 50 games for the club since then.

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He made his Nigeria debut in the 3-1 win over Uganda at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations on December 30, playing the full 90 minutes.

At Blackburn, he plays at right-back and also as a right wing-back. He said regular football has made him a better player.

“Playing week in week out, establishing myself a bit, I feel like there has been a lot of improvement in my game,” he said.

He said managing the physical load of the Championship was still a challenge, but that rest and recovery were helping.

“With all the running I do, taking that time off to rest certain parts of my body, certain things that I have been going through body-wise, it has been brilliant,” he said.