Yannick Bolasie looking to Brazil legend Ronaldo as he recovers from knee injury
The Toffees’ record £29million summer signing is taking inspiration from World Cup-winning striker
BRAZIL legend Ronaldo is inspiring Yannick Bolasie to recover from his devastating knee injury.
The Everton star, 27, is expected to be out for another ten months after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament in December’s 1-1 draw with Manchester United.
But the Toffees’ record £29million summer signing from Crystal Palace insists he is mentally strong enough to come back.
Keep up to date with ALL the Everton gossip and transfers on our club page plus fixtures, results and live match commentary
He said: “These things tend to have a terrible effect on your state of mind.
“I’ve seen many people go down with this injury and never come back. But when you are mentally strong you can deal with it.
related stories
“You can only stay positive and bounce back stronger. That’s life. It happens to the best. My idol Ronaldo suffered a serious knee injury three times, but he still came back and did the business. That is my motivation.
“It shows what you can achieve if you set your mind to it and do not allow injury to stop you.”
The knee injuries cost World Cup winner Ronaldo nearly three years of his career.
He suffered his first major setback as a 19-year-old when a scan revealed a damaged cartilage in his right joint.
In 1999 a snapped tendon kept him out for five months.
Worse followed when the No 9 ruptured a tendon in his first game back for Inter Milan which sidelined him for another 15 months.
DR Congo international Bolasie added: “This is my first big injury and the toughest one.
“But I’m lucky to know enough about my body. I’m speaking to the Everton fitness coach, the manager, the assistants, they help a lot.
“I need to be mentally strong to get through the different stages of rehab.
“It’s a slow process. But I know when I’ll be back, so it’s OK and I’m hand-ling it really well.
“I’ve got my family around me and that makes everything a lot easier.
“If this happened four years ago, it would have affected me. It could have left a mental scar.
“The manager has been helping, while doctors have given me information that will hopefully help me through my rehab.”