Ryan Alebiosu: Super Eagles defender opens up on 2-year depression battle – “I couldn’t walk”

Super Eagles defender Ryan Alebiosu has opened up about a difficult period in his teenage years when a knee problem kept him out of football for around two years, admitting the experience was kind of depressing.

The Blackburn Rovers right-back revealed that the problem affected both knees when he was about 15, leaving him unable to run or walk properly and uncertain about whether or not surgery would be needed.

Alebiosu, who has gone one to play 50 games for Blackburn since joining in 2025, recalled the frustration of watching other young players progress while he waited for answers about a condition that doctors struggled to explain.

Samuel Chukwueze, Ryan Alebiosu, Dele-Bashiru celebrate with Raphael Onyedika. Copyright: ImagoxSegun Ogunfeyitimix

Ryan Alebiosu opens up on depression battle

The one-cap Super Eagles star has had to walk his way up the football career ladder, and it's been a long journey for him before he found stability at Blackburn.

He played at Arsenal, Crewe Alexandra, Kilmarnock, Kortrijk and St. Mirren before Tony Mowbray changed his fortunes by bringing him to Lancashire, which eventually led to him playing for Nigeria in his first Championship season.

“They didn't know what was going on. I couldn't run. I couldn't walk,” the 24-year-old said in an interview with Lancashire Telegraph.

“Obviously, it was kind of depressing having about two years of not playing football because of this knee injury.

“This was when I was about 15 and went on for a couple of years. I couldn't play.”

Blackburn Rovers defender Ryan Alebiosu shoots at goal. Copyright: ImagoxCraigxGallowayx

The former Arsenal defender explained that the problem was described as non-specific knee pain, with doctors unable to establish exactly what was causing the discomfort in either knee.

“They didn't know what was going on. I couldn't run. I couldn't walk; they didn't know if I needed surgery or anything with it because I had pain in both of my knees and they didn't know what was causing it.

“It was non-specific knee pain.”

For a young footballer looking forward to playing the game at a professional level, the uncertainty was gruelling. Alebiosu said he could only wait and hope the problem would eventually settle since the doctors weren't forthcoming with any comforting answers.

“I was always hoping for the best, to be honest.

“They didn't know if I needed the surgery or anything, but at that point I was just hoping that it was nothing more (serious) and that it would just settle.

“It was frustrating because I was a kid and everyone was progressing and I'm just waiting to see when this is gonna go.”

Super Eagles. Photo by Segun OgunfeyitimixImago

How the Super Eagles star returned to football

Alebiosu gradually overcame the knee pain as he got older. When he was around 18, peaking through his developmental puberty stage, his speed returned, and he was able to continue pursuing his football ambition.

The road wasn't smooth, but it led him to Blackburn Rovers, where he has become an established player on the right flank, doubling as a right back and right wing-back when necessary.

The defender also spoke about the improvements he made after getting more minutes in his legs.

“Playing week in week out, establishing myself a bit, I feel like there's been a lot of improvement in my game,” he said.

Ryan Alebiosu seen at the Blackburn Rovers FC vs Nottingham Forest match. Copyright: Imago

Managing the physical demands of the Championship remains a challenge for the Nigerian, who acknowledged the value of rest and recovery as he deals with the workload of playing regularly.

“With all the running I do, taking that time off to rest certain parts of my body, certain things that I have been going through body-wise, it's been brilliant,” Ryan Alebiosu concluded.

The 24-year-old's story highlighted the uncertainty that can accompany a young player's development. Although his teenage knee problem threatened to bring a halt to his football career, Alebiosu fought to return to the pitch and looks to continue a brilliant rise.