Belgian striker Loïs Openda, currently playing for Juventus, has ignited a significant controversy within the sports community in Italy not due to his on-field performance but because of recently released photos showing him undergoing cupping therapy. The images reveal therapeutic cups placed on his skin, which some interpret as a desperate attempt to regain his physical fitness amidst growing criticism over his lack of goals following his transfer from RB Leipzig. Openda has faced immense pressure from fans, expectations that he has yet to meet since moving to Turin.

Openda’s visible use of cupping therapy has raised discussions about the mental and physical strains professional athletes endure, particularly in high-stakes environments like Serie A. While some fans have mocked or criticized Openda’s decision to resort to alternative healing methods, others highlight how cupping increasingly serves as a legitimate therapeutic option for elite athletes. The rise of such practices can be seen as a response to the intense scrutiny athletes face, as they seek various ways to alleviate stress and recover from physical and mental fatigue.

Cupping therapy has gained more attention since being popularized by athletes like American swimmer Michael Phelps during the 2016 Rio Olympics, where his cupping marks became a global talking point. This historic trend has made cupping a fashionable and widely accepted form of therapy amongst sports professionals. Openda’s situation illustrates not only the pressures athletes face in the world's spotlight but also their continuous search for effective methods to enhance performance and well-being in an increasingly competitive field.