Argentine Jonas Gutierrez to train after recovery from cancer
Buenos Aires, Nov 5: Argentine footballer Jonas Gutierrez, who plays for English team Newcastle, has said he will return to training after having triumphed in his battle against cancer.
Gutierrez, who played for his national team in the 2010 World Cup, said he "will return to training with (Newcastle) in the first days of December", reported Xinhua.
The 31-year-old midfielder, who was suffering from testicular cancer, said he was "very happy about the (medical) results" doctors announced on Monday.
"When I was diagnosed with cancer, I didn't think why is this happening to me ...I decided from that moment on to make every effort and do my best to quickly put it behind me," Gutierrez said in a radio interview Tuesday.
With a level of doggedness true to his nickname, “The Greyhound”, Gutierrez laboured to preserve himself during the cancer months, even though he says it was tempting to hide the hair loss from friends and family.
The former Velez Sarsfield player said he still has to undergo regular checkups every six months for a few years, but was eager to return to the field.
On May 19, 2013, in an English Premier League (EPL) match against Arsenal, Gutierrez and a rival clashed and he was injured. His poor recovery led doctors to run tests that revealed cancer of the left testicle, and he was operated on in October in Argentina.
It might be time to bring the Spidey mask back on!