Nigerian striker Victor Boniface has hit the headlines after reports in Germany confirmed that his proposed move to AC Milan collapsed due to concerns over his fitness and medical history.
According to BILD, the Bayer Leverkusen forward underwent four separate medical tests in Italy, but the Rossoneri ultimately decided to pull the plug on the deal.
Boniface has since returned to Germany, leaving his immediate future uncertain. However, history shows he is not the first player to see a transfer stall at the medical stage — and several before him went on to achieve great success.
Here are 10 famous footballers who failed medicals but still carved out illustrious careers:
Nwankwo Kanu (1996)
Fresh from Olympic gold with Nigeria, Kanu’s move from Ajax to Inter Milan was almost derailed when doctors discovered a serious heart defect. After surgery and five months out, he returned to action, later starring for Arsenal and enjoying a 14-year top-flight career.
Ruud van Nistelrooy (2000)
Manchester United’s £18.5m deal for the Dutch striker collapsed due to a knee issue. A day later, he ruptured his cruciate ligament. Sir Alex Ferguson kept faith and signed him a year later for £19m. Van Nistelrooy rewarded United with 150 goals in five seasons.
John Hartson (2000)
A £6.5m move to Rangers collapsed after concerns about his knee, and later deals with Spurs and Charlton also fell through. Celtic eventually took the gamble, and Hartson became a club hero with 109 goals.
Andrey Arshavin (2009)
Arshavin’s Arsenal switch nearly broke down over a heart-related issue. After retests, the deal went through just after deadline day. He scored 31 goals for the Gunners, including a famous four-goal haul at Anfield.
Radamel Falcao (2016)
Injury troubles saw him fail Monaco’s medical after a loan spell at Chelsea, while a proposed move to Atletico Madrid also collapsed. Yet, he revived his career at Monaco, firing them to the 2017 Champions League semi-finals.
Victor Valdés (2014)
The Barcelona legend signed a pre-contract with Monaco, but a cruciate ligament injury ended the move. Monaco pulled out, leaving him clubless until Manchester United offered him a short-term deal.
Gabriel Milito (2003)
Real Madrid backed out of a deal for the Argentine defender due to knee concerns. He later shone at Zaragoza and secured a move to Barcelona in 2007.
Loïc Rémy (2014)
Liverpool pulled out of a deal for the French striker after a heart problem flagged in his medical. Chelsea swooped in, and Rémy went on to win the Premier League at Stamford Bridge.
Nabil Fekir (2018)
Liverpool nearly completed a €60m move for the Lyon captain, but concerns over a past knee injury collapsed the deal. Months later, he lifted the World Cup with France and later joined Real Betis.
Demba Ba (2011)
Ba failed medicals at Stuttgart and Stoke City, but later flourished in the Premier League with West Ham, Newcastle, and Chelsea — most memorably scoring after Steven Gerrard’s slip in 2014.
While Boniface’s move to AC Milan has stalled, football history suggests a failed medical is not the end of the road. Many stars before him overcame similar setbacks to achieve legendary careers.
