Iceland national football team striker, Kolbeinn Sigthorsson, has successfully completed his rehabilitation programme at Qatar’s orthopaedic and sports medicine hospital, Aspetar. The footballer, who scored the winning goal for Iceland against England at the quarter-finals of the UEFA Euro 2016, sustained a left knee injury while on international duty in September 2016.
The injury left the striker, who is currently signed with France Ligue 1 club FC Nantes, out-of-action for a year and a half. Following successful treatment at Aspetar, Sigthorsson is hopeful that he’ll return to the game early next year and may even be ready to take part in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia. Commenting on his treatment in Aspetar, Sigthorsson said he was impressed with Aspetar’s facilities, adding: “(The services) are really top class. The physiotherapy facilities are great and this is the perfect place for me to be in for rehabilitation.”
In an interview held in Aspetar, Sigthorsson spoke about his nation’s 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia ambitions, saying: “The ambitions of the national team are always high, and the results over the past few years have shown that we can beat accomplished teams. We will go with the mentality to win every match and go as far as possible. Why not have high goals and try to reach them?”
He added: “It’s my dream to go to the World Cup in Russia, (as is the case with) all other football players. I came (to Doha) with that goal in mind and hopefully I can be part of the team. There’s still a long way to go, but I’m really positive I can make it.”
Sigthorsson also spoke about the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar saying, “It’s interesting. It’s never been held here in the Middle East and I think it’s going to be a great tournament. I spoke to people who work here and everybody is enthusiastic about it and they want to make this a great World Cup. The stadiums here are also quite impressive, so I think it will be a really good event and it’ll be interesting to see how it goes. You have everything here to make it happen and hopefully I will come here with my team.”
Whilst reminiscing about his stunner against England, the striker said: “Our win against England, especially for a striker from Iceland, is something you don’t think is possible as a young kid. It was a great experience for me and a great moment for our country as well. We all watch England and the English Premier League on TV so to win against England is something you never forget.”
Aspetar boasts one of the most advanced rehabilitation departments in the region, which is integral to Aspetar’s multidisciplinary approach to athlete management. The hospital’s method focuses on assessment and treatment of injured athletes by implementing personalised injury treatment programmes, including the hamstring protocol. Utilising an evidence-based model, Aspetar’s experienced practitioners aim to return patients to their pre-injury lifestyle as quickly and safely as possible with a proven track record of treating international athletes from the PGA, WTA, ATP, World leaders in track and field, as well as weightlifting and professional footballers from all major leagues.
Aspetar has become an ideal treatment and rehabilitation destination for elite athletes from Europe, including South African 400m world record holder, Wayde van Niekerk, who was recently in Aspetar for treatment, fellow Icelandic footballers Eidur Gudjohnsen and Alfreo Finnbogason, Bournemouth striker Callum Wilson, Stoke City goalkeeper Jack Butland, Watford’s Craig Cathcart, Sunderland’s Younes Kaboul and Brugge’s Abdoulay Diaby have also visited the facility.