Demba Ba followed the money to the Chinese Super League in 2015 and has scored 29 goals in 37 appearances for Shanghai Shenhua since. During a match against Shanghai SIPG on Sunday, Ba suffered a horrific leg break (that we will not be showing here, because it’s awful) — an injury his manager fears could end his career.
And yet, Ba’s first question after enduring this unfathomable pain reportedly wasn’t about his leg and contradicts the “mercenary” tag players who go to the Chinese Super League are saddled with. From Football365:
Ba was rushed to hospital and placed under general anaesthesia, awaking four hours later in considerable pain.
According to medical staff, the first question the 31-year-old asked: “Did we win the game?”
They did (2-1). I’m not sure if this is proof of Ba’s commitment to the club or the quality of those hospital drugs, though.