The Brazilian football star and former Chelsea FC attacking midfielder Willian underwent treatment for a muscle injury in a cryotherapy cabin at minus 149 degrees celsius.

Willian Borges da Silva, 33, better known to football fans as ‘Willian’ underwent cryotherapy after picking up a muscle injury playing for Sport Club Corinthians Paulista which is based in the Tatuape district of Sao Paulo.

The news site G1 reports that Willian underwent the treatment yesterday, 26th October.

Willian suffered a muscle injury in his left thigh and was sent to undergo recovery in a cutting edge cryotherapy cabin that emits a nitrogen mist at temperatures as low as -180 C.

According to G1, the extremely low temperatures stimulate healing and recovery in the damaged muscle tissue.

G1 reports that the company that the website of the company that makes the cryotherapy booth states: “Short temperature-controlled shocks activate the release of adrenaline into the bloodstream, which increases heart rate, muscle strength and blood pressure.”

According to G1, the technology can be dangerous and several athletes in the US have died due to misuse of the device.

Athletes such as Willian spend a maximum of three minutes inside the freezing cold cabin.

Willian was signed to Chelsea FC for a GBP 30 million fee and remained at the club until 2020 when he moved to another London based premier club, Arsenal.

Following a short stint at Arsenal, he left the UK and returned to Brazil to play for Corinthians in 2021.

He is expected to miss at least three upcoming features whilst he recovers from the injury.