Tony Bellew Reveals Painful Recovery After Achilles Injury During Soccer Aid

Retired boxing star Tony Bellew has opened up about the intense pain he is experiencing following surgery for a serious Achilles injury sustained during a Soccer Aid match.

During the charity game, Bellew was forced off the pitch after suffering a non-contact injury that sounded like a loud bang. Commentator Sam Matterface described Bellew telling them, “something went bang,” as he hobbled off in distress.

Now recuperating, Bellew shared progress updates on social media, expressing his determination to recover and return to playing. He posted, “Long road back and the pain is real but I wouldn’t change anything! There is no better cause than @UNICEF_uk. The greater the setback, the better the comeback!”

He also thanked his teammates, staff, and ITV for their support during this challenging time. Accompanying his message were photos showing the swelling and his journey towards recovery. One image depicted him on crutches, ready to begin rehabilitation.

On Instagram, Bellew said, “Op done! My Achilles is back together. I’m now back in the pain game. I know it’ll be tough, but I refuse to give in. The greater the setback, the better the comeback!” He emphasized gratitude for the support from his team and broadcasters, praising ITV’s prioritization of his treatment.

Previously, Bellew shared details of the injury on TalkSport, recalling how he heard the snap amid a crowd of 60,000 at Old Trafford. He said, “I thought someone had shot me. I looked behind me, and I thought I’d been shot.” Despite the setback, he aims to be ready for next year’s Soccer Aid.

Since retiring after his 2018 loss to Oleksandr Usyk, Bellew has built a career as a boxing pundit. His boxing record includes acclaimed victories, notably over David Haye, and only a few defeats.