
As football fever intensifies during the 2026 FIFA World Cup season, athletes and recreational players alike are returning to training grounds and football pitches worldwide. While the excitement of the game remains unmatched, the demands of sprinting, sudden directional changes and powerful kicking actions place significant strain on the body, increasing the risk of injury.
Although knee and ankle injuries often receive the most attention in football, hamstring injuries remain one of the most common yet underestimated problems affecting athletes. The recent hamstring injury suffered by Malaysian football star Arif Aiman serves as a reminder that even elite players are not immune to this condition.

According to Dr Aminudin Mohamed Shamsudin, Consultant Orthopaedic, Trauma and Sports Surgeon at Sunway Medical Centre Velocity (SMCV), hamstring injuries account for approximately 35% of all muscle-related injuries among professional athletes and affect between 10% and 30% of sports participants.
Located at the back of the thigh, the hamstring muscle group plays a critical role in running, accelerating, decelerating and maintaining stability. Often described as the body’s natural braking and propulsion system, these muscles are constantly exposed to high levels of stress during sporting activities. When overloaded, the muscle fibres may stretch beyond their limits, leading to strains, tears or, in severe cases, complete detachment from the bone.
Hamstring injuries vary considerably in severity. Mild strains may heal within several weeks, while more extensive tears can require months of rehabilitation. In the most serious cases, the tendon may separate from the bone, necessitating surgical intervention.

Young athletes face unique risks due to their developing skeletal structure. Dr Maria Shelynn Wong, Consultant Orthopaedic, Trauma and Paediatric Orthopaedic Surgeon at SMCV, explains that adolescents may sustain growth plate injuries instead of traditional muscle tears. These injuries, known as apophyseal avulsion fractures, occur when a powerful contraction causes a small piece of bone to separate from the pelvis.
Warning signs include sudden pain, swelling, difficulty walking, reduced mobility and unusual sensations such as numbness or tingling. Early assessment through imaging such as X-rays, CT scans or MRI is often crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.
While many hamstring injuries can be treated through rest and physiotherapy, severe cases involving tendon or bone separation may require surgery to restore normal function. However, surgery is only one step in the recovery process. Comprehensive rehabilitation remains essential to rebuild strength, flexibility and movement control.
Experts emphasise that returning to sport should never be based solely on the absence of pain. A structured rehabilitation programme and professional medical guidance are key to reducing the likelihood of reinjury and ensuring a safe return to competition.
























