The ball comes high toward Yannick Schlatter near midfield. FC Niederweningen 1 are already ahead, but Yannick sees something developing before it actually happens. The defender charges for the aerial challenge. Yannick uses a body feint, lets the ball bounce over the defender's head, and suddenly he's collecting it out on the wing.
Two defenders close in fast.
Yannick glances up, fakes left, and executes a sharp trick past the first defender. The second defender steps up to block. Yannick pulls off a reverse elastico straight through his legs. Everything goes quiet. He strikes the ball cleanly toward the far right corner.
One thought runs through his head: "I really hope this goes in!"
It does. The ball flies into the net. FC Niederweningen 1 are 3-0 up against FC Seuzach 2 in Switzerland's 3rd regional division in Zurich. The match would end 4-2, but this goal was the one Yannick would watch back again and again.
Two ACL tears behind him
Yannick earned that confidence through two ACL tears. Two separate injuries that each required surgery, rehab, and the kind of mental strength most people never have to develop.
"Going through two ACL tears is mentally and physically exhausting," Yannick says. "It tests your confidence, your patience, and your belief in yourself."
"To not only return to the pitch, but to create a moment worthy of being submitted for the People's Puskas, feels surreal," he says.
After two ACL reconstructions, there's always doubt about whether your body will respond the way you need it to. Yannick trusted it. The reverse elastico through a defender's legs with another closing in requires timing most players wouldn't attempt.
"In that split second, everything went quiet around me," Yannick says.
Watching it back
Yannick has watched the goal recorded on Veo many times since the match.
"Every viewing brings the same wave of excitement, pride, and emotion," Yannick says. "Knowing what I went through with two ACL tears, the years of rehab, the uncertainty... it all comes flooding back when I see the ball hit the net."
The goal has been submitted for this year's People's Puskas, which spotlights the best goals scored away from the biggest arenas.
"For me, it's more than just a goal," Yannick says. "It's proof that I never gave up."
Yannick credits his teammates and staff for the support during recovery and the trust when he returned.
"I'm incredibly proud of my teammates and the entire staff," he says. "Without their support, moments like these wouldn't be possible."
Two ACL tears. Two surgeries. Years of rehab. Then a reverse elastico through a defender's legs and a strike to the far corner.
"Watching the goal reminds me of the resilience it took to get back onto the field at this level," Yannick says. "Every replay feels like a personal reminder that the struggles were worth it."
Beat that.