I was playing soccer 3 weeks ago and was kicked just above ankle, bruising gone but still swollen/tender, how can i recover?

Time, medical care..: The first thing to do is to assess the severity of the injury. You may have anything from a soft tissue contusion to a bone contusion to a fracture. You should see a doctor and get an x-ray to rule out fracture. If it isn't fractured, the injury should resolve with time, but even 3 weeks may not be long enough. Continue using ice, gentle massage, ankle range of motion, and protected activity.

Physical therapy.: That area contains many tendons that control ankle function. It is possible that they are weakened, after being kicked there. You may require physical therapy, to restore full function.