Boniface: 10 footballers who failed medicals yet built successful careers

Nigerian striker Victor Boniface has once again made headlines after reports in Germany indicated that his proposed move to AC Milan fell through due to concerns about his fitness and medical history.

According to BILD, the Bayer Leverkusen forward underwent four separate tests in Italy, but the Rossoneri eventually decided to pull out of the deal.

Boniface has since returned to Germany, raising questions about his next move.

However, Boniface is not the first footballer to see a transfer collapse at the medical stage. Over the years, several top players have failed medicals, only to bounce back and establish successful careers.

Here are 10 notable examples:

Nwankwo Kanu (1996)

Fresh from winning Olympic gold with Nigeria in Atlanta, Kanu was set to complete his move from Ajax to Inter Milan in 1996.

During his medicals, doctors discovered a serious heart defect and even advised him to quit football.

Inter could have cancelled the transfer, but the club stood by him.

After undergoing surgery and spending five months on the sidelines, Kanu returned to action, later playing for Arsenal, winning the UEFA Cup, two Premier League titles, and enjoying a 14-year career at the top.

Ruud van Nistelrooy (2000)

Manchester United agreed an £18.5m transfer for the Dutch striker in April 2000, but he failed his medical due to a knee issue.

A day later, he suffered a ruptured cruciate ligament in training.

Sir Alex Ferguson refused to give up, and a year later United signed him for £19m. Van Nistelrooy went on to repay the club’s faith with 150 goals in five seasons.

John Hartson (2000)

Wimbledon forward John Hartson was set for a £6.5m transfer to Rangers in 2000, but doctors raised concerns about his knee.

Later moves to Spurs and Charlton also collapsed. However, Celtic took the risk in 2001, and Hartson went on to score 109 goals for the club, becoming a fan favourite.

Andrey Arshavin (2009)

The Russian playmaker’s move from Zenit St. Petersburg to Arsenal almost collapsed after a heart-related issue was detected during his medical.

After retests, the deal was finalised 24 hours after the transfer deadline, and Arshavin went on to score 31 goals for the Gunners, including his famous four-goal display at Anfield.

He also scored the winning goal against Barcelona in the 2011 Champions League round of 16 first-leg tie.

Radamel Falcao (2016)

The Colombian striker endured a difficult loan spell at Chelsea due to injuries.

When Monaco recalled him in 2016, he failed their medical.

A potential move to Atletico Madrid also collapsed.

Nevertheless, he later rediscovered his form at Monaco, leading them to the 2017 Champions League semi-finals.

Victor Valdés (2014)

Barcelona legend Victor Valdés had signed a pre-contract with Monaco, but a cruciate ligament injury caused the club to cancel the deal.

Monaco pulled out, leaving him without a club until Manchester United offered him a chance, signing him as backup to David de Gea.

Gabriel Milito (2003)

Real Madrid targeted the Argentine defender in 2003, but the deal was cancelled after he failed his medical due to a knee problem.

Instead, he joined Real Zaragoza, where he excelled with over 170 appearances in four years before moving to Barcelona in 2007.

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Loïc Rémy (2014)

Liverpool thought they had secured the QPR striker in 2014, but a detected heart issue caused him to fail his medical.

Chelsea later activated his release clause, and he went on to win the Premier League with them, proving the initial concerns unfounded.

Nabil Fekir (2018)

Liverpool were on the verge of completing a €60m transfer for Frenchman and Lyon captain Nabil Fekir in 2018. But doubts over a previous knee injury led to the move collapsing.

Months later, Fekir lifted the World Cup with France and later joined Real Betis, where he remains a key player.

Demba Ba (2011)

The Senegalese striker failed medicals at Stuttgart in 2009 and at Stoke City in 2011. Yet he went on to shine in the Premier League with West Ham, Newcastle, and Chelsea, most memorably scoring after Steven Gerrard’s slip at Anfield in 2014.