Sarina Bolden reveals undergoing recovery from ACL injury. Bolden/Instagram
MANILA – The Philippines' World Cup hero Sarina Bolden revealed on Instagram Thursday that she had suffered an ACL injury last April and has been undergoing recovery.
"On April 2nd, I fully ruptured my ACL. And to be honest, it broke me in more ways than one," said Bolden, who admittedly was looking for words to convey this unfortunate incident to the public.
"There's really no preparing for the kind of pain that comes with an injury like this, not just physically, but mentally and emotionally too. When the thing that's been your world for as long as you can remember is suddenly taken from you...it's hard to make sense of it," she added.
Bolden also bared that she had a surgery in Australia, and she's taking it "day by day."
"I felt it all. Shock, sadness, denial, frustration. Some days are heavier than others. In May I had surgery in Australia and I'm now a couple months into recovery," the Filipina booter said.
"I've had time to process and to start healing, both physically and mentally, but I know this will be a long road, and I'm giving myself grace to take it day by day."
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Bolden also took time to thank the people who are helping her in the healing process.
The Filipinas' star striker vowed to return stronger, sharing that the passion in her heart remained despite this setback.
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"And to anyone wondering: I'm not done. Far from it. I'll give everything I have to this game for as long as I can. I've always been fueled by the setbacks and I know this will be no different."
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The country's World Cup goal scorer was unable to suit up for the national team in the recent 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup qualifiers.
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Before the tournament, coach Mark Torcaso already bared that she was "going through some rehabilitation at the moment."
Despite her absence, the national team did well, sweeping Group G, 3-0, to advance to the Asian Cup.