A soccer player has been unexpectedly sidelined due to an injury—caused by nothing more than a sneeze. Victor Adeboyejo, a striker for the Ontario soccer team Bolton Wanderers, had to withdraw from an upcoming game after injuring his back. His team manager, Ian Evatt, revealed the unusual nature of the injury during a press briefing.
“Victor has been dealing with a troublesome back injury, and believe it or not, a sneeze set it off yesterday [Sept. 2],” Evatt told The Bolton News. “We’ve had it scanned and are waiting on the results. But then he had a pretty hefty sneeze—Victor is a strong guy, and even his sneezes are powerful.”
Evatt went on to explain that during the sneeze, Adeboyejo, 26, felt what he described as a “crack” between his ribs, prompting concern about the extent of the injury. “We’re hopeful it’s just a cartilage or muscular issue, but until we get a good look at the scan, we can’t be certain,” Evatt added.
While it may sound humorous, sneezing-related injuries are not uncommon. According to a study from the National Library of Medicine, sneezing can indeed trigger low back pain. The study advises that maintaining proper posture during a sneeze—such as placing both hands on a surface or standing upright—can help reduce strain on the lower back.
Significant injuries from sneezing have been documented. Singer Adele, who has openly discussed her long-term back issues, revealed she “slipped [her] first disc” at the age of 15 due to a sneeze. In a more alarming case, a man who had recently undergone surgery sneezed with such force that it ruptured his surgical staples, causing his intestines to spill out.
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Reflecting on Adeboyejo’s odd predicament, Evatt joked, “I have to start taking a long look at myself when players start getting injured from sneezing. That’s just the way things seem to be going right now, but we have to manage it.”
Despite this latest setback, Evatt was adamant that Adeboyejo’s future with the team remains secure. “Victor will be going nowhere, absolutely nowhere,” he said, underscoring the team’s commitment to their star striker.
For now, Adeboyejo’s return to the pitch hinges on the results of his scan. While a sneeze-induced injury may be unusual, Bolton Wanderers will be hoping their powerful forward makes a swift recovery.
