Thierry Correa is finally about to return to Valencia CF after nearly a year out due to injury. The defender, who tore his anterior cruciate ligament against Getafe in October 2024, gave an exclusive interview to the club's media this week.  

Thierry Correa said: "I feel really good right now, which is a bit unexpected. Two months ago, at the start of pre-season, I was still feeling unwell and didn't think I would be back with the team before the end of September. I remember around the 50th minute of the game, I was running for the ball with all my strength. When I saw Aldrete coming towards me, I tried to adjust my steps to avoid getting a second yellow card, but my knee suddenly turned inwards and there was a snap."  

"Afterwards, I felt a little bit uncomfortable, but more of a shock from the noise, which usually signals something bad. When I got back to the locker room, I was still warming up and trying to put my foot down on the floor. I told the team doctor I was fine and would continue the game. By the end of the game, my knee was barely moving and in pain. I thought it was nothing serious, but it turned out to be the worst."  

"The day the doctor told me the severity of my ACL tear was the day I struggled to explain it to my family and friends. Despite the frustration and excruciating pain, I had faith from the start that I would recover. The first month was incredibly painful, but I generally felt okay. However, the problems really started to surface when I started training and going to the gym."  

Talking about the most difficult moment, he admitted: "It is difficult to say which moment is the most difficult, because every stage is full of challenges. In the first month, I stayed in Portugal with my family, away from the locker room and teammates. That time was very difficult. I even told my wife that I wanted to go back to Valencia and longed to be with my teammates. For a player like me who relies on the body for his profession, it is really painful to be unable to do anything."  

"Four months into my recovery, I returned home alone after training to continue doing extra training, and tears started streaming down my face. I saw my reflection in the gym mirror and asked myself why I was crying. In that moment, I knew I wanted to return to competition. It was a special moment because I was alone, but in the mirror, I saw someone who kept moving forward, no matter how difficult the situation.  

“Whether in training or receiving physiotherapy at the club, I often had tears in my eyes because the recovery process was extremely difficult. My physiotherapist, Rai, told me that recovery requires patience and there will be ups and downs, and he was right. Jordi Solly played a key role in my recovery and it was not easy to work with me because I have almost no patience and always want to recover as soon as possible.”  

"The support from the physiotherapists and doctors was incredible. I always told them they were the most important people in the team because the players spent so much time with them and shared their lives with them. These professionals eventually became our friends. Most importantly, we had to stay focused on our goal, which was to get back on the field."  

"During the holiday, I did recovery training in the gym, which went smoothly without any discomfort. That evening, my wife and I went out for dinner, but when I stood up from my chair, my body suddenly became unable to move. She asked me how I would prepare to return to the court if this happened in a restaurant. My physiotherapists, rehabilitation specialists and doctors have all communicated fully with me and are closely monitoring my body's reaction. No specific timetable has been set for my return yet."  

"While I was on holiday, we set a target of returning in early September. When I returned, my knee healed very well, and the mental training that I received greatly facilitated my recovery. When I started training with the ball, I was filled with excitement because the feeling was beyond my expectations. My wife, mother and friends were incredibly supportive. During my time in Portugal, they would come to see me after get off work to make sure I needed anything. On one occasion, they even drove eight hours from Lisbon to Valencia just to be with me through a difficult time."  

"For me, the most important thing during this period was feeling like I was still part of the team, even though I couldn't train or play. I went to the locker room, the physiotherapy room, and even accompanied the team to the Mestalla Stadium before the game. My teammates made me feel a sense of belonging, which is very important to me. This injury has made me more mature. I have always lacked patience. We can always find the positive side of various experiences, such as not taking anything for granted, because life can change in an instant. This experience has also made me realize that I am a very hard-working person."