Professional footballers are often living the dream, playing the sport they love and earning handsomely – at the highest level of the game, anyway.

But there are downsides. Many players have opened up on their mental health struggles, addictions and depression.

Sometimes, those problems are exacerbated by long periods on the sidelines – and players' careers are often over before they even begin, due to injury.

From hamstring tweaks to ACL tears, injuries are part of life for a professional footballer. Here, though, is a look at some of the most ridiculous and avoidable fitness problems suffered by players over the years...