Marcel Hirscher has torn his cruciate ligament. © APA / EXPA/JOHANN GRODER

Hirscher on the ground: “Completely dejected”

A cruciate ligament tear has brought Marcel Hirscher's comeback to an abrupt end. Felix Neureuther has now given an insight into the emotional world of the Austrian luminary.

04 December 2024

From: never

On Monday, Marcel Hirscher the cruciate ligament in the left knee tornTwo days later, the two-time Olympic champion underwent a successful operation. Shortly before the operation in a Graz hospital, the former dominator spoke on the phone with his long-time rival Felix Neureuther.

“Marcel was understandably completely depressed during this phone call,” the German reported in an interview with the Swiss View from the conversation. "The realization that he will no longer be able to show the ski fans what he was really capable of this winter is particularly difficult for him."

For Neureuther, Hirscher's serious injury can be traced back to a simple reason. The seven-time world champion simply wanted too much after his setbacks in the slalom races in Levi (46th) and Gurgl (DNF).

Hirscher tries to use the crowbar

The 2005 team world champion assumes that "Marcel suffered this cruciate ligament tear because he took a brute approach after the disappointments in the last two races. In his sporting prime, he did not suffer a single ligament injury."

Neureuther did not want to get involved in speculation about Hirscher returning to the World Cup stage. "Until Marcel can finally answer this question, he will have to let all his thoughts and emotions sink in in the hospital," explained the 40-year-old. "But it is already clear that rehab after a cruciate ligament tear is a particularly tough affair at his age."