Injury-hit Fabiano rues rotten luck

Luis Fabiano says he has endured ‘anguish and suffering’ from a spate of injuries that have ruined his return to Sao Paulo.

Knee and thigh problems have kept the 30-year-old from making any appearances with the Brazilian Serie A outfit this season after he moved there from La Liga side Sevilla earlier this year.

Fabiano was set to make his Sao Paulo debut against Goias in the quarter-finals of the Brazilian Cup in May, but was kept out with a knee problem.

The striker suffered another setback when he had surgery on his right thigh later in the month before spending most of June and July trying to regain his fitness.

”It’s been four months of anguish and suffering, and a lot of work with the doctors,” Fabiano said.

“I would train and my knee would hurt, I’d feel pain on my tendon and thought that I’d never play again without pain. It was unbearable and that’s what hurt more.”

The injuries also saw Fabiano miss out on his national side’s disappointing Copa America campaign.

Brazil were dumped out of the tournament after a penalty-shootout defeat to Paraguay in the quarter-finals.

”We took a beating. We had opportunities to score and we kept putting pressure on, playing well and putting shots on goal,” he said of the loss. “I think Paraguay won with a moment of luck.”

Fabiano is currently in his second spell at Sao Paulo having played for the club between 2001 and 2004. He netted 118 goals in 160 games during that period, the best scoring average in the club’s history.

“I left a mark in my first spell with Sao Paulo because of the quantity of goals. Unfortunately we didn’t win a major title but my goal average was impressive,” he said.

“I hope to do the same and continue with my average, but that won’t be easy. Back then I was 22, young and in shape.”