After making an emotional return following a battle with cancer, Ivorian superstar Sebastien Haller had an X-rated message to share after his recovery using his football boots. Here's a look!
The story
Call it "X-rated" but there was something truly inspiring about the striker having his PUMA boots written: "f*** cancer". He wore these upon his return to the field last month after being out of action for more than six months.
The centre-forward enjoyed a brilliant 2021/22 campaign at Ajax Amsterdam where he scored 34 goals in 43 appearances across all competitions, including a record-breaking 11 goals in his first eight UEFA Champions League games. His prolific display that campaign saw him rank 13th on 2021 Ballon d'Or Awards and all his achievements eventually earned him a €31 million (R584 million) transfer from the Dutch giants to BVB.
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Speaking recently upon his return to the field, Haller told French outlet L’Équipe: “After the chemo, even though you feel rather fine, you really look like you are ill
“You want to show that everything is fine, but there’s this look of pity, which tells you that you’re ill. It’s actually fine, don’t worry! [laughs] It’s not mean, people want to be compassionate, and I understand it because they want to talk about it. It’s not often a footballer gets cancer.”
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Asked about whether he had felt fear during the whole ordeal, the talisman said: – “I said to myself : why be scared? If something has to happen, it will happen.
"If you have some control over it, then you can feel some apprehension, some fear, but in this case – I had no choice but to have faith in the doctors, who were exceptional with me.
"I had to carry on being mentally strong, have the right people around me and tell myself that with this attitude I’d get through this. And there’s also some responsibility as a professional football player.”
Your thoughts, please?
What has stood out to you about Haller's incredible story?
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