“I Was Told I Could Die”: The 43-Year-Old Goalkeeper Called Up for the World Cup

Summary: Portugal - Nigeria 1:2 / Sport1. Just three months ago, Craig Gordon was not sure he would be able to keep playing football. The 43-year-old Scotland goalkeeper met a spine specialist in London after a neck injury and heard a grim warning, “You could be left paralyzed, you could die.” Now, only a few months later, Gordon is already in the United States preparing with Scotland for the 2026 World Cup. His story is revealed in the BBC Scotland documentary Icons of Football, which follows the struggle-filled career of one of the country’s most prominent goalkeepers. Enter the guessing game, take part in the quiz, and you may win a double package for a World Cup quarterfinal. Craig Gordon, Scotland goalkeeper / GettyImages

Gordon described the dilemma he faced: “I had to decide whether to keep trying to play or think about life after football. I wanted to be in a position where I could play with my children, be an active father and do the things they want to do with them.” The veteran goalkeeper admitted that injuries have taken a heavy toll on him: “There definitely have been times when I cried because of injuries. I just don’t show it to everyone.” Speaking about his latest neck injury, he added: “There was definitely concern that this was a long-term issue, not just in terms of football but for the rest of my life as well.”

Although he played only a little last season, Gordon was part of the squad that sent Scotland back to the World Cup after 28 years. “I was very emotional,” he said of the win over Denmark. “I cried in my room because of how meaningful it was for everyone.” “I thought about retiring at the end of last season,” Gordon concluded. “So to qualify for the World Cup? Wow. It was a last push, a final target, and it worked.”