Even after achieving professional status, they frequently find themselves away from family and loved ones for extended periods.
Imagine dedicating your life to the sport you love, only to face a sudden and prolonged absence from the pitch. This has been the reality for Gideon Mensah, who has experienced the heartache of being sidelined from playing football - the very thing that fuels his passion and purpose.
Mensah's journey in football began in Ghana, where he honed his skills at the prestigious Right to Dream Academy. His talent quickly earned him a move to Denmark, joining Nordsjaelland.
However, breaking into the first team proved challenging, and after struggling for game time, he made a pivotal decision to go on loan to Swedish club Varberg in July 2020. By October of that year, the loan was made permanent, marking a significant turning point in his career.
Reflecting on his early professional experiences in an exclusive interview with Flashscore, Mensah shared: "My few years going professional weren't what I expected. Before signing my first contract, I felt I was on a certain level, and my plan was to keep climbing. But sometimes, things don’t go as planned.
"The first year and a half in Denmark were quite difficult for me. I tried to settle in with the team and earn my place in the starting lineup, but that opportunity never came."
Transitioning from Denmark’s U19 and second teams to the first team in Sweden required significant adaptation. Mensah noted the cultural differences between the two Scandinavian countries: "Even though they’re both in Scandinavia, each has its unique culture. I had to adjust to the language and even the food - though thankfully, it’s quite similar."
His first two years at Varbergs BoIS were filled with promise as he transitioned to competing at a professional level.
"The first two years were incredible," he recalled.
"I got to play more professional games. The experience there was very good for me."
However, just as he began to find his footing and thrive on the pitch, disaster struck.
In early 2023, during a preseason training session, Mensah’s career took a devastating turn. A bad tackle resulted in an ACL injury that would sideline him for an extended period. He described the moment vividly:
"My foot got stuck in the artificial grass during a session in winter and my teammate kicked my leg while attempting to get the ball. I heard a click in there. Everything that came after the click was a hell of pain."
The injury not only caused physical pain but also emotional turmoil as he grappled with feelings of frustration and helplessness.
“I had to wait because the next day my knee was very swollen. I could barely walk on the left knee. So I was hoping it was a small tear or it was a. But it was swollen for almost a month and when the knees are swollen the MRI won’t work”
Waiting for an MRI was agonizing; he hoped for minor damage but was met with the grim diagnosis:
“I got the result in three weeks from the doctor. He called me and was like, you are out for 10 to 12 months. That's a year.”
The news was crushing, leading him into a dark period filled with self-doubt and anxiety about his future.
Recovery from an ACL injury is a gruelling process that requires immense mental strength and discipline. Mensah emphasized the importance of patience during this time.
“You have to be mentally strong. You have to be physically strong. You have to be spiritually strong.”
Mensah's path to recovery has been anything but straightforward. After undergoing his initial surgery, he faced unexpected complications that necessitated a second operation months later to address lingering discomfort. This setback has pushed back his anticipated return to the pitch, which was initially slated for 2024.
Throughout his rehabilitation journey, the Right to Dream Academy graduate leaned on the support of family, friends, and teammates. He acknowledged that having "good people around you" was crucial during such challenging times. Despite the difficulties, he remained focused on his goal: returning to the pitch stronger than ever.
The 24-year-old’s last competitive appearance was in November 2022. Having spent the latter part of 2024 doing individual training, Mensah is looking forward to joining the team ahead of the new season which kicks off in February 2025.
“I'm ready to go full gas. But as much as I want to go, I also have to find a balance not to go all the way, and then something breaks. So I have to also find the balance.
"I'm really looking forward to coming back and then seeing people smile when I play,” he added.
As Gideon Mensah nears the completion of his recovery, he watches as his fellow Ghanaians, Alidu Seidu and Fatawu Issahaku, embark on their own rehabilitation journeys. Quizzed about the increasing prevalence of ACL injuries, he said:
“The body is also a machine. When you overuse it, it gets tired and maybe something can easily break. I wish my countrymen well in their recovery. The journey is tough but they are more than capable and have access to some of the best medical facilities so they will be fine.”
Mensah’s aspirations extend beyond personal recovery; he aims to help Varberg regain their status in the top league.
“Things didn't go as we planned at the beginning of last year and the year before, we got relegated. That year, I didn’t play and we got relegated. Some players also got the same injury so we lost maybe four or five key players that season so things were hard for us.
"But now, the plan is to get all the fit players back and get into our top level. By the end of last season, we got very good. So I'm hoping that I can come back to be in the squad and help the team get back to the top flight.”
The centre-back is eager to reclaim his peak form, with aspirations of securing a significant transfer in the near future.
His sights are set high as he works tirelessly to prove himself once again, ready to make an impact on the pitch and attract the attention of top clubs.
“I want to build that momentum again to go to the level I was before I got injured. I want to play as many games as I can and move to a bigger club.”
Having already represented Ghana at the U17 and U20 levels, Mensah holds close the dream of one day playing for the national team.
“I learned a lot with the U17 team, especially at the World Cup. The experience of playing around with a lot of good players like Ibrahim Sadiq, Mohammed Kudus, and Eric Ayiah helped me a lot. The U20 was another experience because I improved as a player.
“It's, always an honour to represent your country, so it will be a good feeling to play for the Black Stars. If I get the chance, it will be a good feeling because I know how it felt when I played for the youth national teams."
