Stuck in the Turf: How Nuukele Gboe Fought His Way Back to the Pitch

“Just focus on the present.”

From a young age, Nuukele “Nuke” Gboe knew he was destined for the soccer pitch. He started playing on a team at five years old, and by the time he was ten, he was recruited from his home country of Liberia, in West Africa, to join a team in Monaco, an independent microstate located on the French Riviera. This would be the start of a challenging but ultimately rewarding journey.

Leaving his family at such a young age was a massive sacrifice. He didn't see his family again for over a decade, not until 2022. Nuke spoke about the difficulty of being away from his loved ones, especially with the added challenge of a language barrier in Monaco. "I basically grew wiser than my age," he said, "because at 10 years old, I had to live as an adult just to be able to take care of myself." That early independence and steadfast focus were the keys to starting his professional career. 

From 2013 to 2014, Nuke started his development at the Columbus Crew Academy, then spent time with Pride SC through 2016 before moving to Niagara University for his collegiate career (2017–2019). His initial professional career involved playing for Dakota Fusion FC (2019–2020) and FC Buffalo (2020–2021). Following a short break, he returned to the pitch in 2023, signing with Albion San Diego, until a season ending injury. 

Nuke's typical week was a rigorous routine. He described a demanding training schedule focused on strategy and opponent analysis. His role on the team evolved from a defensive midfielder to an "inverted left back," a position that demanded both offensive and defensive ability. This adaptability served him well, a skill he had honed since college when he switched from an attacking midfielder to a defensive midfielder after a coach saw his potential in a new role. 

On May 25, 2024, while playing for Albion San Diego, everything changed. “I went for the ball... there was a big guy playing in front of me... I expected him just to play back... But he caught me off guard. He turned and I was like, oh shoot, I got to catch up. And then once I kind of forced myself to turn...he played a pass backward.  So, I had to turn to block the shot and then my foot got stuck in the turf... by the time I reacted, I got hit while my foot was stuck... I felt it right away but at the time the adrenaline was kicking in. I went down for a second, I got back up, and I played the entire first half.” Nuke initially thought it was a knee bruise “it was uncomfortable, but at halftime I sat down, when it was time to head back on the field, I couldn't move.” What resulted was a torn MCL and a mild PCL sprain. 

For Nuke, the biggest challenge wasn't the physical pain; it was the mental toll of being sidelined. "I think it hurt more just going to training every day, just sitting down and watching people train, I felt left out." he explained. To combat this, he chose to do his physical therapy in Minnesota at Accelerated Sports Therapy & Fitness rather than with his team, a decision that gave him the space to focus entirely on his recovery. 

Nuke credits his successful recovery to the approach of his physical therapists, Mike and Paul. Unlike his team's rehab, which was more rushed, Mike and Paul took their time to ensure every step was perfect. Their targeted, sports-specific approach was a game-changer. "They take their time," he said. "They give me exactly what's right for my knee. But they know...based on their experience...what my body can take.” 

The physical therapy was intense and tailored to the demands of a professional soccer player. They focused on game-like scenarios, incorporating speed, agility, and reaction drills to build his confidence. He admitted that some exercises, like single leg hopping, were challenging, but were crucial for regaining trust in his knee. Nuke says “one exercise that...was like my kryptonite was the knee extension. I struggled on that because I couldn't get my knee to pass that lock point...I can easily now.” 

Now, after months of dedicated work, Nuke has been cleared to return to the pitch. He is a free agent and currently in negotiations with multiple teams across the world, which he views as a new chapter in his career. He is not naive about the challenges ahead. “The first game is always nerve-racking...it's all about getting back into the rhythm. I got to earn my spot, I got to earn playing time, nothing's going to be handed to you.” 

When asked what advice he would give to other athletes with similar injuries, Nuke's answer was simple: "Don't do what I did." He stressed the importance of getting a professional opinion immediately after an injury, rather than waiting and guessing. 

As he prepares for his next move, Nuke's focus remains on the present. "Don't just focus on the past," he reflected. "Don't worry about the future. Just focus on the present."