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‘Always try to be strong’ – Tottenham ace Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg reveals how he cared for dad with cancer aged just 17


TOTTENHAM midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg has opened up about taking care of his dad following his father’s cancer diagnosis.

The Spurs star, 27, was just a teenager when he found out his dad, Christian, had cancer.

Hojbjerg has opened up about taking care of his fatherCredit: TWITTER / BBCMOTD
He is admitted it was an incredibly difficult time for him following the death of his dadCredit: TWITTER / BBCMOTD

And his father subsequently moved to Germany to be with his son during his chemotherapy.

As a result, Hojbjerg, 17 years of age at the time, became a carer for his dad while also trying to progress as a young player at Bayern Munich.

Speaking to BBC Sport about having to care for his father before he passed away in 2014, the Tottenham man said: “My father would always take care of me, then suddenly I had to take care of him.

“I was cooking for him, I was putting him in bed, making sure that he got his medication and all of these things. These things scar you a bit.

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“It didn’t go as we hoped, he passed away in April [2014]. I finished the season, I played the cup final, I got my national team debut. From a sports perspective the season really finished on a high, but from a life perspective it really finished on a low.

“I had difficulty to motivate myself. It’s the first time actually that I have spoken about it like this.”

Hojbjerg, who has made 117 appearances for Spurs, insists he still thinks about his dad a lot – more than eight years on from his passing.

And he also acknowledges he found comfort in the birth of his daughter.

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“I had difficulty for a couple of years [after his father’s death],” he added.

“I just didn’t find the real purpose until I had my daughter. I remember saying to my mother when I had my daughter that finally life gave me something back. My kids are everything. I will do everything for them.

“My father is with me a lot – in everything I do – and he gives me inspiration like my family do, like my kids do, so they are with me.

“I truly believe that a lot – not just in football, but in life – of what you are giving to the people around you, the sacrifices you make, you will get it back.

“Sometimes, I also say to myself that I didn’t make it in Bayern, but on the other hand I wouldn’t be who I am without the three years I had there. I always call it the school of champions.”

Hojbjerg left Bayern for Southampton in 2016 after playing 25 games for the German giants.

He then signed for Tottenham in 2020.

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The Dane has become an integral part of the Lilywhites midfield, starting 11 of their 13 Premier League games so far this season.

Next up for Antonio Conte’s men is a trip to take on Bournemouth on Saturday.

Hojbjerg made his Bundesliga debut for Bayern at the age of just 17Credit: Getty
Hojbjerg is now one of the first names on the team sheet for TottenhamCredit: Getty


Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk


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