The Footballers Miracle

What is this treatment you may be asking and who is Marijana Kovacevic.

Marijana Kovacevic is a physio that practises in Belgrade and was unheard until last week. Her fame has risen to new heights very quickly and it is now understood that she is only answering calls and texts from players that she can trust. The cost of the treatment I understand is £2,650 (Euro3000) for three days of treatment. This takes around six hours in total. Marijana uses the fluids derived from the horse placenta and electrolysis to treat the injured area. During this treatment it also appears that she uses the alternative side of her work with darkened rooms and lots of candles. This is something that seems to be becoming the norm today.

Players from all over Europe have been visiting her following on from recommendations given by team mates but it appears now that our premiership clubs have given their blessing for players seeking treatment to pay a visit. There is still a lot of sceptism about the benefits of her work but I guess it is one of those things that as the saying goes only time will tell.

The clubs so far to have used her services are Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City. It is rumoured that Stevie G has possibly been to see her, as he has the kind of injury that Marijana treats. There has been no confirmation or denial of this, although he has declared himself fit to play on Saturday.

It now appears though with all the attention that Marijana Kovacevic has attracted, the Serbian Football Association has become so dubious about her methods of treatment that they have made discreet enquiries. With this in mind they are looking to bring her in-house. So far it is understood that she has declined all offers from clubs or federations to work with them but because of her fame in Serbia she has signed up with a London based Fifa licensed football agency which specialises in representing foreign players. This company is understood to be Star Management.

There is no medical evidence to prove that this works. How rubbing fluid taken from a horse placenta can speed up muscle injuries is a mystery to both the medical profession and the layman. Is this just another one of those fads that celebrities' such as footballers catch on to?

All I know is that we need our players back fit and rearing to go. If it has indeed worked and Yossi Benayoun and Alberto Riera are fit to play then that is fantastic but I hope that Liverpool Football Club's medical staff are keeping a very close eye on them. The last thing that Rafa Benitez needs, are footballer's that have been passed fit, break down again soon after going on the pitch. This unfortunately happened to Riera several weeks ago and I am sure that Rafa does not want it to happen again.