Will not retire from football: Demba Ba

Former Chelsea forward Demba Ba has said he will not quit football, despite breaking his leg while playing for Shanghai Shenhua in the Chinese Super League (CSL).

During Sunday's Shanghai derby against SIPG, the 31-year-old's left leg twisted badly and snapped after he got into a tangle with rival defender Sun Xiang.

There have been fears that Ba's career might be over at the age of 31 but the Senegalese international insisted he has no plans to retire just yet.

"This is a really bad injury but I know I can overcome it. I won't call time on my career, that's for sure," Ba was quoted as saying by RMC on Tuesday.

"They haven't done the full operation because I told them to wait."

"I wanted to go to Europe to have it done but when I learned that was not possible I arranged with the doctor here to sort me out a French surgeon who should arrive shortly. He will operate on me.

Ba cited examples of players like Hatem Ben Arfa who were out with similar injuries but have returned back to playing top level football.

"There are other players who have returned from similar injuries, like Hatem Ben Arfa," he said.

"Something similar happened to me earlier in my career and the treatment options are much better now. I think I'll make a speedier return this time."

The striker has so far struck 14 goals from 18 appearances this season.

--IANS

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