A 28-Year-Old Fullback’s Return and Road to Recovery: What Does It Mean for His Career?
Antonee Robinson has finally returned to the pitch after a year away due to his knee injury. Defender for the USMNT and Fulham F.C., Robinson was injured last November during a match with the USMNT. However, since the beginning of this year, he has been on a leave of absence after undergoing surgery; he has been consistently on and off the pitch for nearly a full year. Seen as a vital defender, known for his skill and dedication, within the USMNT, his absence was greatly felt by fans around the world and his team, as he missed various tournaments, including the Gold Cup. However, Robinson is ready to return and make his mark on the pitch once again.
It has been reported that Robinson is gradually returning. He has recently returned to training with Fulham FC and has been playing limited minutes in matches to regain his momentum, while also appearing in friendlies for the USMNT. During this past August, Robinson even played a match with Fulham against Manchester United. This was one of his first appearances back with his club, and once he was subbed in during the 62nd minute of the match, Fulham fans filled the stadium with applause, welcoming their beloved fullback. Although his return is exciting, fans should remember that Robinson is still in the recovery phase, with plenty of training ahead before he can return to peak form. In an interview with YahooSports, Robinson explained that he “still is not quite back to feeling 100 percent on it as he was a year ago, but getting there slowly, and it's nice to come out here and play.”
While Robinson focuses on his recovery and performance, his coaches look forward happily to the future as they welcome their player back. Everyone is anticipating Robinson’s appearance at the 2026 World Cup. He has played in previous World Cup tournaments, and if his healing process continues to be successful, fans will be able to see him back in action. Fulham has various games scheduled this month, and Robinson could continue to play in them if he feels ready, as his personal recovery is more important at the moment than playing a full-length game. With this in mind, even if Robinson does return for next year’s World Cup, his playing time is likely to be limited if his recovery does not proceed as planned. As he continues to rebuild his strength and rhythm on the field, all eyes will be on his journey leading up to the World Cup, especially, but all must remember that it will take time and healing before we will be able to see Robinson back in top performance. Until then, all fans can do is be patient and continue to support his road to recovery.
