Nathan Tella Opens Up on Knee Injury That Has Kept Him Out for Two Months

Super Eagles forward Nathan Tella has finally shared details about the injury that has kept him out of action for nearly two months, confirming it was more serious than initially thought.

The Bayer Leverkusen winger suffered a knee injury in mid-September after playing 82 minutes in a Bundesliga clash against Eintracht Frankfurt. Though he appeared fine at the time, he has since missed 12 consecutive games and remained unavailable for Nigeria’s national team.

Speaking to Bild (via Werkself Xtra), Tella explained that while he is not yet fully back in training, he is close to a return.

I'm not completely back with the team yet, but I have more confidence in my leg than I did the last time out… I feel like I'm on the right track. I'm no longer in pain… I hope to be back soon and then stay with the team.

Recalling how it began, he said:

It was strange. I felt my knee and it was quite painful. But I wasn't too worried… It was probably something more serious than just a knock to the knee. Together with the doctors and coaches, we decided not to rush anything until I was at 100 percent.

Tella revealed that he previously tore his cruciate ligament six years ago, adding, “Now it's a ten-week break – compared to ten months, that's nothing. I wanted to stay positive.”

As Leverkusen continues to thrive under Kasper Hjulmand, the 26-year-old hopes to regain full fitness soon and push for a return to both club action and Nigeria’s squad ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.