Benjamin Mendy recalls how meeting with cancer patient put knee injury into perspective

He missed most of the 2017/18 season with a knee injury

Benjamin Mendy was one of Manchester City's biggest signings last summer. Finally, the club had a young, dynamic left-back to take over from the ageing Aleksandar Kolarov and Gaël Clichy. Sadly, his season was cut short when he tore his knee ligaments just a month into the season against Crystal Palace. He had to watch from the sidelines for most of the season as his teammates blew most of the league away with their scintillating football. Mendy obviously found this time difficult, not being able to contribute on the field. But one moment put it all into perspective for him. Speaking to SFR Sport, he explained: “When I was in Barcelona, the patient next to me, a Spaniard, was diagnosed with cancer. “We found out two days later. He was dying." He continued: “I told myself: ‘What’s up with my knee, it’s nothing'. I think that helped with my recovery. “When you’ve hurt your knee or your ligaments, it’s nothing at all compared to folk who suffer things that are far more serious.” Mendy gained cult hero status at City this season for his social media antics and managed to recovery in time to earn himself a place in the France squad for the World Cup ahead of Layvin Kurzawa.