The pain of a torn ACL: 'You want to explain it, but sometimes you can't'

Smans returns to action after over a year recovering from a torn ACL suffered against Volendam; he's now fully fit and back in Heerenveen's starting XI.

Levi Smans, the SC Heerenveen midfielder, suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in the opening match of last season against FC Volendam after an awkward movement. In an interview, the 23-year-old described the psychological toll of his recovery, including obsessively reviewing footage and searching for explanations, before accepting that sometimes injuries are simply bad luck. After more than a year of rehabilitation, Smans has made a full recovery and has returned to regular first-team action, earning a starting berth in recent matches and already recording three assists in five appearances. He now faces PSV away on Friday.