•Nwankwo Kanu
Nigerian striker Victor Boniface has found himself in the spotlight once again, as reports from Germany reveal that his highly anticipated transfer to AC Milan has fallen through due to concerns surrounding his fitness and medical history.
According to BILD, the Bayer Leverkusen forward underwent as many as four medical examinations in Italy.
Despite the extensive evaluations, Milan ultimately decided to withdraw from the deal, citing unresolved concerns.
With the move now off the table, Boniface has returned to Germany, casting uncertainty over his immediate future as the summer transfer window nears its close.
However, Boniface is far from being the first footballer to watch a transfer collapse at the medical stage.
Over the years, several high-profile stars have faced similar setbacks — only to bounce back and forge remarkable careers at the top level, reports The Nation.
1. Ruud van Nistelrooy
Medical failed at: Manchester United (2000)
Reason: Serious knee ligament injury
What happened next:
Van Nistelrooy’s deal was delayed after a torn ACL led to a failed medical. Sir Alex Ferguson waited a year, and in 2001, United completed the signing. Ruud went on to become one of the Premier League’s most lethal strikers.
Career highlights:
150 goals for Manchester United
Premier League Golden Boot
La Liga champion with Real Madrid
Over 300 career goals
2. Radamel Falcao
Medical failed at: Chelsea (2014, initial talks)
Reason: Thigh and ACL injuries
What happened next:
Falcao’s fitness raised doubts during his Premier League stints, but he eventually bounced back at Monaco, helping them win Ligue 1 and reach the Champions League semis.
Career highlights:
Europa League top scorer
Ligue 1 champion
Over 300 career goals
3. Gabriel Milito
Medical failed at: Real Madrid (2003)
Reason: Concerns over past knee injury
What happened next:
Madrid pulled the plug, but Milito impressed at Real Zaragoza and earned a move to Barcelona, where he contributed to one of the club’s golden eras.
Career highlights:
Champions League winner
La Liga champion
Key player for Argentina
4. Marko Arnautović
Medical failed at: Chelsea (2009)
Reason: Foot problem
What happened next:
Chelsea backed off, but Inter Milan signed him anyway. He didn’t break through in Italy but later thrived in the Premier League with Stoke City and West Ham.
Career highlights:
Over 100 Premier League appearances
Euro semi-finalist with Austria
Top scorer for Bologna (Serie A)
5. Andrei Arshavin
Medical failed at: Arsenal (2009, initial test)
Reason: Heart irregularity
What happened next:
After initially failing, a second evaluation cleared him. Arsenal completed the deal, and Arshavin quickly made headlines with a legendary 4-goal haul at Anfield.
Career highlights:
Euro 2008 semi-finalist
Arsenal cult hero
Captain of Russia
6. Victor Valdés
Medical failed at: AS Monaco (2014)
Reason: ACL injury
What happened next:
Monaco canceled the deal, but Valdés later joined Manchester United. Even if his post-Barcelona years were brief, his legacy as one of Barça’s greatest goalkeepers was already secure.
Career highlights:
3x Champions League winner
6x La Liga titles
Spain international (part of Euro 2012 squad)
7. Demba Ba
Medical failed at: Stoke City (2011)
Reason: Knee condition raising long-term concerns
What happened next:
Stoke backed out, but West Ham took a chance. Ba scored freely there and later for Newcastle and Chelsea, including crucial Champions League goals.
Career highlights:
Over 130 career goals
Champions League semi-finalist
Turkish Süper Lig champion with Beşiktaş
8. Patrick Schick
Medical failed at: Juventus (2017)
Reason: Undisclosed health issue
What happened next:
Schick failed two medicals at Juventus, but bounced back at Roma and then found his best form at Bayer Leverkusen, becoming one of the Bundesliga’s top strikers.
Career highlights:
Euro 2020 joint top scorer
FIFA Puskás Award nominee
Bundesliga star
9. Hakim Ziyech
Medical failed at: Al-Nassr (2023–2024)
Reason: Persistent knee issues
What happened next:
Ziyech’s move to the Saudi Pro League collapsed twice. He remained at Galatasaray, continuing to deliver with his signature long-range strikes and creativity.
Career highlights:
Champions League winner with Chelsea
Moroccan national team star (World Cup 2022 semi-finalist)
Eredivisie champion with Ajax
10. Nicolas Jackson
Medical failed at: Bournemouth (2023)
Reason: Hamstring injury
What happened next:
Bournemouth canceled the transfer, but Chelsea picked him up later. Jackson went on to score double-digit goals in his debut Premier League season.
Career highlights:
Chelsea top scorer (2023–24)
AFCON runner-up with Senegal
Breakout Premier League star
11. Samuel Umtiti
Medical failed at: Rennes (2022)
Reason: Likely knee-related, undisclosed
What happened next:
Despite injury setbacks, Umtiti was already a World Cup winner and key part of Barcelona’s 2017–18 double-winning side. He revived his career with a strong season at Lecce in Serie A.
Career highlights:
FIFA World Cup winner (2018)
2x La Liga champion
12. Nwankwo Kanu
Medical failed at: Inter Milan (1996, post-signing exam)
Reason: Life-threatening heart condition
What happened next:
After signing from Ajax, Inter’s doctors discovered a serious congenital heart defect. Kanu underwent open-heart surgery and many believed his career was over. But he made a miraculous comeback, winning trophies at Inter, Arsenal, and Portsmouth.
Career highlights:
2x African Footballer of the Year
Premier League and FA Cup winner
UEFA Cup champion
Olympic gold medalist (1996)
Founder of the Kanu Heart Foundation
A failed medical might end a transfer but it doesn’t have to end a career. These 12 footballers showed that with resilience, the right support, and a bit of belief, setbacks can become the start of something great. Whether recovering from injury or proving the doubters wrong, they all turned medical disappointment into career-defining success.
