Port Adelaide Veteran Ivan Soldo Confronts Career Uncertainty After Devastating Knee Injury
Port Adelaide's Ivan Soldo is striving to maintain a positive outlook as his AFL career hangs in the balance following a season-ending knee injury. The experienced ruckman, who clinched a premiership with Richmond in 2019, underwent surgery this week after rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee during a training session.
This setback is particularly crushing for Soldo, who managed only one senior game last season and is also out of contract at the end of the current AFL campaign. From his hospital bed, Soldo expressed gratitude amidst the disappointment, stating, "Thank you for all the love and support. Obviously devastated but it's all part of it, forever grateful for the people around me though."
Support from AFL Community Amid Recovery Challenges
Messages of encouragement have poured in from across the AFL community, including from recently retired Port Adelaide star Willie Rioli and Carlton legend Anthony Koutoufides, both wishing Soldo a speedy recovery. This injury marks the second time Soldo has faced such a challenge; he previously tore the ACL in his right knee during the penultimate round of the 2020 season, which prevented him from participating in Richmond's back-to-back premiership run.
Since joining Port Adelaide ahead of the 2024 season, Soldo has struggled to secure a regular spot in coach Ken Hinkley's lineup over the past two years. Now, as he approaches his 30th birthday in April, he had hoped for a fresh start under new coach Josh Carr, but this latest injury casts significant doubt on his future in the league.
Medical and Contractual Implications for Soldo's Career
Port Adelaide's head of medical services, Tim O'Leary, commented on the situation, saying, "It's such unfortunate news for Ivan. He is such a professional and hardworking athlete, so we are really disappointed for him, and we will support him to get through this next stage. Ivan sustained the same injury in his left knee in 2020, so he certainly knows what it takes to attack his rehab and return to the top level."
The injury has also impacted Soldo's contract and trade prospects. He was linked to a potential move to St Kilda at the end of 2024, but the Victorian club reportedly cooled on the idea due to concerns about his knee history. Reporter Tom Morris noted that while Soldo did not fail a medical test, St Kilda opted to "play it safe following past list decisions with injured players."
Additionally, there was speculation that Soldo was keen to return to Victoria at the end of last season, but interest from rival clubs remained lukewarm, further complicating his career trajectory. As Soldo embarks on another rigorous rehabilitation journey, the AFL world watches closely to see if he can overcome this hurdle and revive his playing days.
