Blackburn Rovers and Nigeria defender Ryan Alebiosu has described the “depressing” period in his teenage years when unexplained pain in both knees kept him out of football for almost two years.
Alebiosu was about 15 when the condition left him unable to run or walk properly. Doctors could not identify the cause of the problem and were uncertain whether he would need surgery.
“They didn’t know what was going on. I couldn’t run. I couldn’t walk,” the 24-year-old 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 couldn’t play.”
The right-back, who has made more than 50 appearances for Blackburn since joining the club in 2025, said the uncertainty was particularly difficult as he watched other young players continue to develop.
Alebiosu’s career has included spells with the academies and squads of Arsenal, Crewe Alexandra, Kilmarnock, Kortrijk and St. Mirren. He eventually established himself in Lancashire and went on to win his first cap for Nigeria.
The former Arsenal youngster said specialists described his condition as non-specific knee pain because they were unable to determine what was causing the discomfort in either leg.
“They didn’t know if I needed surgery or anything with it because I had pain in both of my knees and they didn’t know what was causing it. It was non-specific knee pain,” he said.
With no clear diagnosis or treatment plan, Alebiosu was left hoping the problem would resolve itself.
“I was always hoping for the best, to be honest. They didn’t know if I needed the surgery or anything, but at that point I was just hoping that it was nothing more serious and that it would just settle,” he added.
The prolonged absence came at a formative stage of his development and left him frustrated as his peers moved forward in the game.
“It was frustrating because I was a kid and everyone was progressing, and I’m just waiting to see when this is gonna go.”
Alebiosu has since fought his way back into professional football, with his progress at Blackburn helping him reach the international level with the Super Eagles.