{"id":11941,"date":"2025-12-25T21:09:57","date_gmt":"2025-12-25T21:09:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cymrusport.cymru\/?p=11941"},"modified":"2025-12-25T23:55:15","modified_gmt":"2025-12-25T23:55:15","slug":"madison-lloyd-on-acl-comeback-its-made-me-a-lot-stronger-today","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cymrusport.cymru\/cy\/madison-lloyd-on-acl-comeback-its-made-me-a-lot-stronger-today\/","title":{"rendered":"Madison Lloyd on ACL comeback: \u201cIt\u2019s made me a lot stronger today\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/cymrusport.cymru\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2025-11-23_Pontyprid-United-v-Pontypridd-Town_60-1-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11945\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cymrusport.cymru\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2025-11-23_Pontyprid-United-v-Pontypridd-Town_60-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cymrusport.cymru\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2025-11-23_Pontyprid-United-v-Pontypridd-Town_60-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cymrusport.cymru\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2025-11-23_Pontyprid-United-v-Pontypridd-Town_60-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cymrusport.cymru\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2025-11-23_Pontyprid-United-v-Pontypridd-Town_60-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cymrusport.cymru\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2025-11-23_Pontyprid-United-v-Pontypridd-Town_60-1-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">TREFOREST, WALES &#8211; 23RD NOVEMBER 2025: <br>Madison Lloyd of Pontypridd United with her hat trick ball at full time.<br>Pontypridd United v Pontypridd AFC in the Bute Energy Welsh Cup at USW Sports Park on the 23rd November 2025. Pic by Lewis Mitchell\/FAW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-audio\"><audio controls src=\"https:\/\/episodes.captivate.fm\/episode\/cf4876c9-a268-439c-8d87-93efc87f425a.mp3\"><\/audio><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Cast your mind back to the 2023\/24 season. Cardiff City youngster Madison Lloyd was one of the brightest, if not the brightest prospect coming through in the Adran U19\u2019s League.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">33 goals across the U19\u2019s season in just 18 games, Lloyd also made 7 appeaarances in the first team for City, scoring five times in all competitions, including four in one game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Training with the first team last year for pre-season, it looked as though Lloyd would be a regular feature for the Bluebirds in the Genero Adran Premier. However, as we\u2019ve seen recently in some of the biggest leagues in the world, an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury would prevent what was destined to be a breakout season for Lloyd in senior football.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It kept the striker out for the whole of last season. With that said, it makes it even better to see the form Lloyd has hit this season for Pontypridd United, and to be back to her best, knowing what she&#8217;s been through. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Speaking on the Adran Leagues Show, Lloyd told her story to Cymru Sport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She explained: <em>&#8220;We were training the week before the league was starting. I took a shot on goal, and it didn&#8217;t feel right.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>&#8220;I went over to the physio at the time (Aimi Healey-Bracher), and we didn&#8217;t think there anything serious going on.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/cymrusport.cymru\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2022-02-13_Cardiff-City-Women-FC-U16-V-CPD-Merched-Tref-Caernarfon-FC-U16_006-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11947\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cymrusport.cymru\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2022-02-13_Cardiff-City-Women-FC-U16-V-CPD-Merched-Tref-Caernarfon-FC-U16_006-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cymrusport.cymru\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2022-02-13_Cardiff-City-Women-FC-U16-V-CPD-Merched-Tref-Caernarfon-FC-U16_006-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cymrusport.cymru\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2022-02-13_Cardiff-City-Women-FC-U16-V-CPD-Merched-Tref-Caernarfon-FC-U16_006-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cymrusport.cymru\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2022-02-13_Cardiff-City-Women-FC-U16-V-CPD-Merched-Tref-Caernarfon-FC-U16_006-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cymrusport.cymru\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2022-02-13_Cardiff-City-Women-FC-U16-V-CPD-Merched-Tref-Caernarfon-FC-U16_006-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">NEWTOWN, WALES &#8211; 13 FEBUARY 2022: Madison Lloyd of Cardiff City Women FC U16 celebrates scoring the opening goal during the FAW Girls\u0092 Cup semi-final between Cardiff City Women FC U16 and CPD Merched Tref Caernarfon FC U16 at Latham Park, Newtown, Wales, February 13th 2022. (Pic by Ashley Crowden\/FAW)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>&#8220;Things swelled up a lot. The next morning I thought I was okay, was going to keep training and see how it is. We&#8217;re all our worst enemies, we all think we&#8217;re fine and we might not be.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>&#8220;I went and trained and we went into the first drill and it completely went, and that&#8217;s when I knew. It wasn&#8217;t even the pain it was just knowing that something really wrong has gone on.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>&#8220;I had a scan and we found out the next week the results of it. Obviously I was heartbroken. I knew this was going to be a bit of a come through season for me. I had a really good pre-season.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>&#8220;But when I look back now it&#8217;s made me a lot stronger, and I wouldn&#8217;t be who I am today if that didn&#8217;t happen.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Whilst ACL injuries are so common across all leagues, it can be hard to recover and even find the initial surgery required in Wales, with limited resources available. Many players still are yet to get that surgery years on, and some players haven\u2019t yet returned to playing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Lloyd spoke about her recovery, and how there was a real doubt she wouldn\u2019t return to football.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She said: <em>&#8220;The first three weeks of recovery is hard. Anyone who&#8217;s gone through it will understand what I say with that.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/cymrusport.cymru\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2024-01-21-Cardiff-City-Women-v-Wrexham-Women-AC_024-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11949\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cymrusport.cymru\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2024-01-21-Cardiff-City-Women-v-Wrexham-Women-AC_024-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cymrusport.cymru\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2024-01-21-Cardiff-City-Women-v-Wrexham-Women-AC_024-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cymrusport.cymru\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2024-01-21-Cardiff-City-Women-v-Wrexham-Women-AC_024-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cymrusport.cymru\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2024-01-21-Cardiff-City-Women-v-Wrexham-Women-AC_024-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cymrusport.cymru\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2024-01-21-Cardiff-City-Women-v-Wrexham-Women-AC_024-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">CARDIFF, WALES &#8211; 21 JANUARY 2024: Madison Lloyd of Cardiff City Women in the Genero Adran Premier fixture between Cardiff City Women FC and Wrexham AFC Women at the Cardiff City Stadium in Cardiff, Wales. (Pic by Ashley Crowden\/FAW)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>&#8220;You&#8217;re pretty much bed bound. You&#8217;re not able to do anything. I wasn&#8217;t allowed to weight burn until six weeks after my op. The first two weeks I did nothing.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>&#8220;I remember sitting in my bed, and I was like &#8216;dad I think I&#8217;m done, I&#8217;m never going to be able to kick a ball again&#8217;, and it was tough, it emotionally and mentally drained me, and obviously physically it does.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>&#8220;Getting back to that physical strength it is hard but just knowing where you could be in a year\u2019s time, it is worth it.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Over a year on, Madison Lloyd is one of the most in-form players in the league, despite Pontypridd United\u2019s struggles in the Adran Premier this season. 11 goals in all competitions after 14 games, the 18-year-old is finally having that earned breakthrough season she craved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The main thing for Lloyd though, is to be back playing the game she loves, and to have that opportunity with Pontypridd.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She explained:<em> &#8220;It&#8217;s been a really good opportunity for me. I&#8217;m really grateful to have got as many minutes as I have.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/cymrusport.cymru\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2025-11-23_Pontyprid-United-v-Pontypridd-Town_57-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11951\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cymrusport.cymru\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2025-11-23_Pontyprid-United-v-Pontypridd-Town_57-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cymrusport.cymru\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2025-11-23_Pontyprid-United-v-Pontypridd-Town_57-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cymrusport.cymru\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2025-11-23_Pontyprid-United-v-Pontypridd-Town_57-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cymrusport.cymru\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2025-11-23_Pontyprid-United-v-Pontypridd-Town_57-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cymrusport.cymru\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2025-11-23_Pontyprid-United-v-Pontypridd-Town_57-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">TREFOREST, WALES &#8211; 23RD NOVEMBER 2025: <br>Madison Lloyd of Pontypridd United celebrates scoring her sides sixth goal.<br>Pontypridd United v Pontypridd AFC in the Bute Energy Welsh Cup at USW Sports Park on the 23rd November 2025. Pic by Lewis Mitchell\/FAW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>&#8220;I was going there without the pressure and just being able to play for me, and to get back in the swing of things.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>&#8220;Before my injury I didn&#8217;t have a lot of senior experience. So going there and playing all the teams that are in the same league as Cardiff, it&#8217;s been really helpful, and it&#8217;s allowed me to get my physicality back up.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>&#8220;My end goal is to be back with Cardiff. I want to do well enough to compete for the jersey there, and obviously just keep scoring.&#8221;<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Cast your mind back to the 2023\/24 season. Cardiff City youngster Madison Lloyd was one of the brightest, if not the brightest prospect coming through in the Adran U19\u2019s League. 33 goals across the U19\u2019s season in just 18 games, Lloyd also made 7 appeaarances in the first team for City, scoring five times in [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":11943,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[123,99,138],"tags":[147,139,174,148],"class_list":["post-11941","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","category-sports","category-the-adran-leagues-show-extra","tag-cardiff-city","tag-genero-adran-premier","tag-madison-lloyd","tag-pontypridd-united"],"acf":[],"featured_image_url":"https:\/\/cymrusport.cymru\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2025-11-23_Pontyprid-United-v-Pontypridd-Town_60-scaled-e1766652944973.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cymrusport.cymru\/cy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11941","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cymrusport.cymru\/cy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cymrusport.cymru\/cy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cymrusport.cymru\/cy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/12"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cymrusport.cymru\/cy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11941"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/cymrusport.cymru\/cy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11941\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11960,"href":"https:\/\/cymrusport.cymru\/cy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11941\/revisions\/11960"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cymrusport.cymru\/cy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11943"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cymrusport.cymru\/cy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11941"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cymrusport.cymru\/cy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11941"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cymrusport.cymru\/cy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11941"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}