Alexander Frei: International Football’s Hard Luck Man.

February 22nd, 2010 | by: chris | View Comments

There were many scenes worth remembering from Euro2008, but there were none more heart-wrenching than watching Alexander Frei wipe the tears away with his captain’s armband as he limped off the Basel pitch in front of his hometown fans, knowing full well his Swissaustrian adventure was over. At 28, the chance of a lifetime was over only minutes after it’d begun. It’s the type of horrible luck which makes you wonder if the gods have it out for Frei.

There’s little questioning their vengeful hatred now, as Frei, still the Swiss captain, faces a mad dash to simply make South Africa after breaking his arm on Sunday.

“It must be calculated that Frei will not be able to play football for between eight and 10 weeks,” said the club on their website.

As any coach will tell you, when it comes to the World Cup simply being healthy enough to kick a ball isn’t going to cut it. Match fitness is at a premium and though there are exceptions – Frei, as captain and all-time leading goalscorer, could likely be one – Switzerland is now thrust into blueprinting another major tournament should Alexander’s rehab falter in the slightest.

“It’s something we have to live with,” said Switzerland coach Ottmar Hitzfeld on the Swiss federation’s website (www.football.ch).

“We still have some alternatives up our sleeve. But I hope for the player, the club and the national team that his recovery goes well.”

With the Swiss league ending on May 15th, twelve weeks from now, there’s a chance Frei won’t play a domestic game before the World Cup kicks off in June. A tremendous blow for Basel, for Frei, but perhaps most of all, Switzerland.

It’s the cruelest of timing for a man who’s already suffered the cruelest of fates on the biggest stage of his life.