Virgil van Dijk
Football
About 9 months
ACL PATIENT GUIDE
When Can I Return to Sport After ACL Surgery?
There is no single return-to-sport date that is right for every ACL patient.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Sankalp Pande
Orthopaedic Surgeon • 17+ Years' Experience • 900+ ACL Surgeries • FIFA Diploma in Football Medicine
Last reviewed: August 2026
How long did famous sports players take?
Zlatan Ibrahimović
Football
About 7 monthsTiger Woods
Golf
About 8 monthsTom Brady
American Football
About 12 monthsRadamel Falcao
Football
About 7 monthsA study found that young athletes who returned to demanding sports before 9 months had about 7 times higher risk of another ACL injury.
But time alone is not enough. More recent research shows that athletes who complete rehabilitation and pass proper return-to-sport tests may be ready earlier.
*Source: Beischer et al., 2020, Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy (JOSPT).
So when should I return?
Don't rush your return to sports. Return when your knee is ready.
Returning to sports too early can increase the chance of another ACL injury. SAFE ACL follows your recovery and helps decide when your knee is ready for sports.
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