Borja Cortina has felt like a footballer again. The Atlético Levante UD center-back has returned to the pitch in the victory against SC Torrevieja CF, more than a year after suffering a serious knee injury that forced him to undergo a long recovery process.

Stepping back onto the field and competing alongside his teammates was a very special moment for Borja Cortina, who was injured in September 2025 during a training session. After more than 390 days of hard work, the center-back has been able to leave behind a challenging period and once again enjoy what he loves most: "When I stepped onto the field, before taking those first steps, I got a bit emotional. Many memories of everything I had gone through to get here came flooding back." A return he had been eagerly awaiting, summed up in one phrase: "Finally, the day has come. I had been longing for this day."

The welcome from his teammates made the return even more special. From the applause from the stands and the bench to the gesture from Pablo Rosón, who handed him the captain's armband, Cortina felt supported by his team. "It wasn’t just Rosón’s gesture, but also the support from the coaching staff, the bench, and the crowd. Everyone on the field came over to greet me," explained the center-back, who summed up what that moment meant: "With just a few gestures, you can see what an amazing group we have, and I feel very fortunate to be part of it."

The recovery process was a long journey, with phases where progress came little by little. Over time, the first steps, running, and returning to the pitch came, a moment he began to appreciate in a different way: "The feeling of stepping onto the field for the first time, even if it was just to take steps or run, I remember valuing it so much." Cortina also highlighted the importance of taking care of mental health during that process: "I sought help from a professional, recommended by Cala, and it was the best decision I ever made."

Carlos Cabrelles, one of the physiotherapists who accompanied the player during his recovery, also reflected on the journey to his return: "We worked for eight months, morning, afternoon, and night, to try to get him back in the best possible condition. He overcame all the small goals we set." A process that, for Cortina, has changed his perspective on football and his daily life as a player. "Before, I didn’t value anything; I saw it as just my daily routine, training with the group or anything else. And there I learned that just training with the group is a gift, it’s incredible," he said. The injury forced him to stop, but it also helped him mature, gain confidence, and appreciate every opportunity. Now, as he says, all that’s left is to enjoy what he longed for so much: playing football.