Breaking News: Jan Vertonghen Is Back Again………………….read more.
Jan Vertonghen has opened up about the long-term mental impact he suffered following a collision with Andre Onana during Tottenham’s 2019 Champions League semi-final against Ajax. The incident, which also involved Toby Alderweireld, left Vertonghen with lasting effects that affected both his on-field performance and personal life for the next nine months. Although medical tests revealed no physical injury, Vertonghen came to believe his struggles were psychological.
Vertonghen’s issues persisted until the Champions League final against Liverpool, where he felt unwell throughout the match and even fell asleep on the team bus afterward. Despite consulting various specialists, no clear explanation was found for his symptoms, which included difficulty tolerating crowds and falling asleep unexpectedly. Vertonghen reflected that his performances that season were unusually poor, with notable struggles in matches against Norwich and Chelsea.
The break in football due to the COVID-19 pandemic ultimately provided the rest Vertonghen needed to recover fully. He described the enforced pause as a “salvation,” and he has been in good health since, although he remains cautious about the possibility of a recurrence.
After leaving Tottenham in 2020, Vertonghen joined Benfica for two years before moving to Anderlecht, where he continues to play, featuring in all their league matches this season.
