The big story in just finished AFCON is certainly Ivory Coast’s fairytale story of being one of the worst teams (results wise) at the beginning, to the unlikely winners at the end, with thrilling knockout stage games and a trophy at the end. The other big story is certainly Sebastian Haller. The Elephants and Borussia Dortmund striker was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2022, beat it and recovered to score a winning goal in this year’s AFCON. Certainly, an amazing and inspirational story. Which reminds us there were other heroes like this in the past. They might not have won the AFCON after the disease, but they came back strong and continued playing. And what’s more important, they are still alive.19 months after being diagnosed with testicular cancer Sebastian Haller scores the winner for Ivory Coast in the final of the African Cup of Nations.Never give up ❤️#AFCON2023 pic.twitter.com/YLUah3z9nb— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS_EN) February 11, 2024 Bournemouth winger David Brooks was diagnosed with Stage 2 Hodgkin lymphoma, a rare form of blood cancer that affects the white blood cells, in October 2021. Luckily, in May 2022, after months of treatment, he was cleared to go.“Last week I met with my specialist having reviewed my final test results. I am delighted to say the treatment was successful and I can now say that I have been given the all clear and am now cancer free. Those words feel incredible to say and I am so thankful for all your messages and good wishes, these really helped me through the tough times” he said back then. After getting back into shape, he debuted against Manchester United in May 2023 and this season he was using sparingly so he went to Southampton on loan.Throwback when Jonas Gutierrez beat cancer just in time to come back and score the goal that confirmed Newcastle’s survival in the Premier League.More than just a game ❤ pic.twitter.com/TAyTQpPsi2— 433 (@433) May 22, 2020 Another winger, but Newcastle’s Jonas Gutierrez was diagnosed with cancer in October 2013 and underwent surgery in December. He came back and helped his team win the fight against relegation but the ending of his England career was sad. He claimed he was forced to pay for his treatment and said he was told by the former Newcastle manager, Alan Pardew, that he would no longer feature in ‘Newcastle’s plans’. Gutierrez launched a two million pounds disability discrimination claim against the club, saying they dropped him from the team because of his battle with cancer.“I think they feared that my illness would mean that I could no longer play at the highest level and they considered me to be a liability rather than an asset to the club. I got the impression that they thought I couldn’t be the same player again after such an illness or that I would be bound to have lingering effects other episodes of illness off the back of it. This caused me a lot of distress given my hard work and commitment for the club in the preceding five and half years” he said.Life is a miracle! Cancer survivor Haller scores a stunning late winner for Ivory Coast’s AFCON titleCertainly, the most popular (and trophy winning) player on this list is former Chelsea, Real and Bayern Munich winger Arjen Robben was just 20-years-old when he found a lump on his left testicle. The Dutch winger underwent surgery to remove the unwanted lump and returned to football soon after.“I was very scared – it was a very difficult time. I found a little lump and went to the doctor. He told me I needed an operation. I then had to wait for the results and I didn’t know if it was going to be good or bad news. The waiting was terrible for a few days. I didn’t know what was going to happen to me. It was a horrible wait, then I heard the news was good and it was a massive relief. At that time football was no longer important – the most important thing is to be healthy and for your family to be healthy. Football is my life but my family’s health is the most important thing in the world” he said a few years ago. He went on to win the Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga titles, along with the Champions League.Throwback to when Alex Song thought Carles Puyol wanted him to lift the Liga trophy ahead of cancer survivor Eric Abidal. pic.twitter.com/dkEGOcc7S6— Former Footballers (@FinishedPlayers) December 21, 2022 Barcelona’s defender and later sporting director Eric Abidal was a regular in Pep Guardiola’s team in 2011 and in age 31, he got liver cancer.“My fitness scores were high. I’d always looked after my body. When they told me I had a tumour in my liver, I got a huge shock. But this can happen to anyone, whatever your age, whatever your job. You can have all the money in the world but nothing prepares you for cancer” he told to Daily Mail. After an operation, not only did he did well, he started playing within six weeks, and played all 90 minutes in the 3-1 victory over Manchester United in the Champions League final at Wembley.🇳🇱 Robben com a camisa do Bayern:👕 309 jogos⚽️ 144 gols🅰️ 101 assistências🏟 10 temporadas🏆 20 títulosUm dos maiores ídolos da história do clube. pic.twitter.com/eYUVKJXq33— Sala12 (@OficialSala12) February 9, 2024 Current Inter Milan defender Francesco Acerbi was diagnosed with testicular cancer in June 2013 and underwent treatment to get rid of the disease. He did, but it came back the same year. He returned to treatments and was given ‘all clear’ in 2014, after which he debuted for the national selection in 2014. He recently played for Inter in a 4-2 win over Roma.“With everything I went through, I am happy and proud, but I have objectives and when I’ve reached them I will be satisfied. What are they? I won’t tell. If you want to reach your targets, then you need to work hard, sweat and have that hunger within you. If you don’t have it in you, then it’s impossible to get there” he said to the press.##NAJAVA_MECA_7873257##The latest example is Borussia Monchengladbach’s defender Stefan Lainer, who was diagnosed with lymphoma in July 2023. He stopped playing and undergo treatment for the cancer. Everything went well, and he recently debuted for the club.“I’m thrilled that I can once again fully concentrate on football and train together with the team. The last weeks and months were a big challenge. I’m very thankful to have had so much support from my family, my friends, the club and the fans during this period” he said.
