Winger Returned Last Weekend and Made Another Appearance Midweek
After enduring an 18-month injury nightmare, Kevin Paredes is finally beginning his journey back to competitive action with VfL Wolfsburg. The 22-year-old American winger made his season debut on January 11 in an 8-1 defeat to Bayern Munich, entering in the 77th minute for his first appearance since undergoing foot surgery last August.
The Virginia native's return marks a crucial milestone following a devastating stretch that threatened to derail his promising career. After breaking through with 28 Bundesliga appearances and three goals during the 2023-24 campaign at just 20 years old, Paredes looked poised to become a fixture for both Wolfsburg and the U.S. Men's National Team. Instead, a persistent foot injury limited him to only two matches last season, and a preseason setback ultimately required surgical intervention.
Paredes added seven more minutes to his recovery on January 14 against St. Pauli, where he completed 6-of-8 passes and won his lone ground duel while gradually rebuilding match sharpness. Against Bayern, he managed one shot on target and won both of his duels in limited action, showing glimpses of the player who once seemed destined for bigger things.
The mental toll proved just as challenging as the physical recovery. Paredes has spoken candidly about learning to walk again and maintaining daily focus during the darkest periods. Drawing strength from his parents' immigrant journey from the Dominican Republic and their emphasis on hard work, he chose to view the setback as part of his growth rather than a career-ending obstacle.
"I know that time is limited," Paredes said regarding this year's World Cup on home soil. "But since the 2022 World Cup, I've always felt like I'm close."
With a potential appearance against Heidenheim on Saturday, Paredes continues his gradual reintegration. While his future remains uncertain, his return represents hope that the young winger can reclaim the trajectory that once made him one of American soccer's brightest prospects.
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