Health

SEBASTIEN HALLER bagged a stunning SEVEN-MINUTE hat-trick in a fairytale return to the Borussia Dortmund starting XI after his cancer diagnosis.The Ivory Coast international was diagnosed with testicular cancer in the summer of 2022 and underwent a gruelling treatment process.

Sebastien Haller bagged a hat trick in his second outing since testicular surgeryCredit: GETTY
The Ivory Coast international was mobbed by his team-mates after each goalCredit: GETTY
Haller was given permission to resume full training this month and returned to the fold as a substitute in a friendly against Fortuna Dusseldorf earlier this week.
The 28-year-old was given more minutes in Dortmund’s friendly against FC Basel – who he put to the sword in double-quick time.
Haller opened his account from the penalty spot in the 81st minute before striking again in the 86th and 87th minutes.
Footy fans were quick to comment, with one tweeting: “Things you love to see.”
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Another said: “Sebastien Haller you absolute king.”
And another said: “Haller is back. You will not read better news today.”
One remarked: “Sebastien Haller defeated cancer and in his first [second] game back for Borussia Dortmund vs Basel banged a hat trick. Chateau.”
Another chimed in: “Sebastien Haller beats testicular cancer and returns the same season to score a hat trick in his first minutes for Dortmund. Friendly or not, just unbelievable stuff. Best story of the year.”
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Haller is hoping it won’t be too long before he’s back leading the line for Dortmund in their competitive matches.
He said: “I want to play as quickly as possible. There are no limits and restrictions on my involvement unless the medical staff tell me otherwise.
“I can do everything now that I used to do before, that gives me great confidence.
“I took only 19 days off in the six months. It was hard but it’s my job and I love it.
“Retiring was never on my mind, I had the mindset of looking forward and take every day at a time.
“It was harder for my family, they suffered a lot because they didn’t feel in control. They helped me a lot.”
Haller and Dortmund team-mates will resume Bundesliga action a week on Sunday, welcoming Augsburg to the Westfalenstadion. More

SEBASTIAN HALLER made an emotional return to the pitch six months after his testicular cancer diagnosis.The Borussia Dortmund striker was subbed on during a club friendly against Fortuna Dusseldorf.
Sebastian Haller made his first appearance for Borussia DortmundCredit: https://twitter.com/BVB
It was his first time on the pitch following his testicular cancer diagnosisCredit: https://twitter.com/BVB
Haller showed his appreciation to the fans watching the gameCredit: Getty
The Ivorian was greeted with a round of applause and cheers as he ran onto the field.
It was Haller’s first-ever appearance for the Bundesliga giants after his £28million move from Ajax last summer.
However, less than a fortnight after joining the club, he received his diagnosis of testicular cancer.
Haller felt unwell during training and went for medical examinations, which is when doctors discovered the tumour.
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During his battle with cancer, Haller revealed that the hardest part was having to explain to his children that he had to go to the hospital.
He underwent four rounds of chemotherapy and had two operations before returning to training last week with an Apple watch to track all his data.
And now Haller was able to get some valuable game time into his legs against Dusseldorf.
Dortmund ran out as 5-1 winners with goals coming from Felix Passlack, Karim Adeyemi, Nico Schlotterbeck and a brace from Donyell Malen.
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Dawid Kownacki did net in from the spot, but it proved to be a mere consolation goal for Dusseldorf.
Former West Ham striker Haller spoke about his journey to German outlet Bild, as he said: “I first discussed with my wife how best to explain it to our children.
“We looked online for tips and asked other people. We then found a way and explained it to them with a small video.
“The hardest part was getting them to understand that while I’m fine right now, I’m sick and need to be hospitalised – even for a few weeks or months.
“We wanted to be honest, the kids are smart and have good senses themselves, so we didn’t want to try to hide anything from them.
“Luckily, they took it well, I laughed a lot at home, played a lot with them.
“In the beginning, it wasn’t like usual, of course – my older son often wanted to jump on me, so I had to tell him: ‘not yet’. But now everything is fine.”
Haller added he did not cry when he found out the news but was instantly determined to beat the cancer.
The Ivory Coast forward continued: “I knew immediately: I have no other choice. The choices are limited.
“It won’t do you any good if you put yourself in a depression.
“So I said to myself: stay positive, bring your family and friends together. You’re not alone. So go through it together with them.
“When I got home, my wife had prepared a few small posters with the news from my family. Mum, dad, brother, sister.
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“That was actually the most emotional thing. But there was also an incredible amount of uplifting news from the football world, I can’t even list everyone.
“The president of Ivory Coast was there, my former clubs and of course a lot of players, Luka Jovic and Ante Rebic also wrote to me which made me happy.” More

GARY Speed’s widow has suffered fresh heartache after her new husband died of brain cancer. Louise, 52, married property developer Quinton Bird, 53, after football manager Gary took his life 11 years ago.
Louise Speed, pictured with Quinton BirdCredit: Facebook
Louise and Quinton married almost a year ago
Louise was devastated after Gary Speed, pictured, took his life 11 years agoCredit: PA:Press Association
A family source told MailOnline that he had brain cancer for more than two years.
His dad Roy said the family were “devastated” to lose him.
He added that Quinton was a “wonderful” dad and left him and wife Jenny was left with “beautiful and extraordinary memories”.
Louise and divorced dad-of-three Quinton married just over a year ago.
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But tragically he succumbed an aggressive form of brain tumour just six months later.
The couple had been business partners for six years as directors of new build and renovation firm Bow Property Development in Chester.
Guests at Louise and Quinton’s wedding in Cheshire included former England captain Alan Shearer, who was close friends with Gary.
The pair fell in love after Louise struggled in the aftermath of Gary’s death, admitting she struggled to get off the sofa and was left with unanswered questions over his suicide.
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Mum-of-two Louise was left heartbroken after Welsh football star Speed took his own life on November 27, 2011, aged just 42.
She previously opened up about Speed’s death, admitting she felt anger at first and often doubted if she could forgive him for taking his life.
She also described the tragedy as the “worst nightmare possible”.
Louise said: “Have I forgiven Gary? I ask myself this often. Can I? Have I? Will I?
“I don’t know. I have witnessed the hurt he has caused to his family and friends, particularly his boys and his mum and dad and myself.
“The void he has left within us all. So I don’t know. I just don’t know if I have forgiven him yet or not. But of course I want to.
“The anger has only just subsided and that is part of it. I was angry with him for a long time but that also kept me strong, if you know what I mean? It’s when I released that anger that I felt a little bit vulnerable.”
You’re Not Alone
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide.
It doesn’t discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It’s the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
Yet it’s rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
That is why The Sun launched the You’re Not Alone campaign.
The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
Let’s all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others… You’re Not Alone.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:

CALM, www.thecalmzone.net, 0800 585 858
Heads Together, www.headstogether.org.uk
Mind, www.mind.org.uk, 0300 123 3393
Papyrus, www.papyrus-uk.org, 0800 068 41 41
Samaritans, www.samaritans.org, 116 123
Movember, www.uk.movember.com
Anxiety UK www.anxietyuk.org.uk, 03444 775 774 Monday-Friday 9.30am-10pm, Saturday/Sunday 10am-8pm

Speed and Louise were childhood sweethearts, going on their first date aged 15.
They married during his spell with Leeds before stints at Everton, Newcastle, Bolton and Sheffield United.
He retired with the Blades in 2010 and took over as manager before taking the reins of the Welsh national team.
Speed was still the Wales gaffer when he died aged 42.
Louise found her husband hanged in their garage on a Sunday morning, after appearing on BBC Football Focus and going out to dinner with friends the previous day.
A letter Speed wrote to his then-girlfriend Louise aged 17 expressed how he felt ”so depressed’.
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He wrote: “I’m just going to go to sleep now and hope I never wake up.” More

THE daughter of football legend Pele shared an emotional post saying her family are enduring “sadness and despair” with her dad still hospitalised. Pele is currently in the Albert Einstein Israelite Hospital in Sao Paulo after being admitted at the end of November 2022.
Pele’s daughter Kely Nascimento, left, smiles from hospital despite the harrowing circumstancesCredit: https://www.instagram.com/iamkelynascimento/
The 82-year-old’s cancer has advanced and doctors recently said he is under “elevated care” related to “kidney and cardiac dysfunctions.”
His daughter Kely Nascimento spoke out online as she posted a picture with her sister Flavia and Pele’s grandchildren, Octavio Felinto Neto and Gabriel Arantes. 
Kely said: “These moments are hard to explain. Sometimes there is a lot of sadness and despair, other times we laugh and talk of fun memories.
“And what we learn most from all this is that we have to look for each other, and hold tight. Only when it’s all worth it. With it all together.”
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Pele has been undergoing treatment for some time for colon cancer and had been receiving chemotherapy sessions.
The Brazilian icon then developed a lung infection as he became weaker due to the ongoing treatment he is receiving.
He had a colon tumour removed in September 2021 but no confirmation has been received as to whether the cancer had spread to other organs.
Pele spent Christmas in hospital but received the support of his loving family and the footballing community around the globe.
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On Boxing Day, daughter Kely shared her praise for the hospital workers who are doing all they can for their father.
She said: “To see our dad being treated by these care professionals, super competent and extremely caring.
“Not a moment goes by that we forget this privilege. Even in sadness we can only be thankful.”
Pele, a three-time World Cup winner, is considered by many one of the greatest to ever grace the beautiful game.
The famous forward is believed to have scored close to 2,000 goals throughout his playing career.
And he helped influence generations of talent, including Ronaldo, Ronaldinho and Neymar.
Brazil’s Pele during the World Cup in 1970Credit: AP:Associated Press
Pele poses with the World Cup trophy in 2014Credit: AFP More

BRAZILIAN footie legend Romario has put his rivalry with Pele aside to send the poorly 82-year-old his well wishes. He said he was “praying” for the three times World Cup winner as his health sadly continues to deteriorate.
Romario put their differences aside and offered his support to Pele
The Brazillian footie legend’s health has deteriorated in recent weeks as he continues to battle colon cancerCredit: AFP
His daughter shared emotional pics with the 82-year-old from hospitalCredit: https://www.instagram.com/iamkelynascimento/
Pele has been battling colon cancer since September 2021, but his condition has worsened in recent weeks.
The footballing icon’s family have been gathered at his bedside over Christmas following his latest health scare.
This week, doctors said his cancer had advanced and that he now requires care related to renal and cardiac dysfunction.
As the world of football reels from the sad news, players from around the world have sent Pele messages of support.
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Even his former foe Romario has offered up his well wishes for the sporting star – despite their fiery feud over the years.
The retired ace turned politician, 56, told Ge Globo: “King, get better. So much faith.
“The whole world is looking and praying for you. Improvements! I kiss your heart.”
His touching words were welcomed by Brazil fans, who were moved to see the striker put their differences aside.
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The duo had been locked in a bitter war of words since 2007 when Romario dubbed Pele “a poet when he doesn’t speak.”
The Brazilian hero hit back at the jibe, simply branding his rival “ignorant” in a scathing response.
Pele said: “There are lots of people who don’t really know what they want and simply attack the past.
“But I’m a Catholic and I believe that God always forgiven the ignorant, so I forgive the ignorant.”
The Selecao legends continued to lock horns over the years, with fans pitting the pair against each other.
Pele, who says he scored 1,283 goals during his illustrious career, easily dwarfed party-loving Romario’s 542 balls hitting the back of the net.
But they are both regarded as geniuses on the pitch thanks to their incredible skill.
Other footie stars have expressed their support for Pele since his hospitalisation.
Brazilians Rivaldo and Vinicius Jr wrote on their social media channels: “Strength King.”
And French star Kylian Mbappe called on his 10.9miillion Twitter followers to “pray for the King.”
Pele praised the striker’s efforts in the 2022 World Cup, after revealing his beloved team’s run had kept him “full of energy” before Brazil were knocked out by Croatia.
He wrote in an Instagram post: “Today, football continues to tell its story, as always, in an enthralling way. Messi winning his first World Cup, as his trajectory deserved.
“My dear friend, Mbappé, scoring four goals in a final. What a gift it was to watch this spectacle to the future of our sport.”
In the latest update on his health, Pele’s daughter said his family were grateful for “another night” with him.
Kely Nascimento shared emotional pictures from the hospital online after celebrating Christmas at his bedside.
She wrote in a heartbreaking Instagram post that his loved ones still “have a lot to be thankful for.”
Kely continued: “Even in sadness we can only be thankful.
“Thank you for being together, thank you for all your affection, thank you that I can be here now with him.
“Merry Christmas. Lots of health, lots of love, lots of joy, lots of laughter and lots of passion, today and always, for all of you.
“Another night with him.”
Pele’s wife Marcia Aoki was also pictured gathered at the Albert Einstein hospital in Sao Paulo.
Pele is considered to be one of the greatest footballers of all time.
Along with his three World Cup wins, he scored 643 goals in 659 in official matches for club side Santos.
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That incredible record added to his 77 goals in 92 matches for Brazil.
He has been fighting colon cancer since he was diagnosed with a tumour in his large intestine last year.
Pele has been embroiled in a fiery fued with Romario since 2007Credit: Getty
His son Edinho shared a sweet snap showing him comforting his fatherCredit: INSTAGRAM
The icon’s loved ones gathered at the hospital over ChristmasCredit: Instagram
Football players have flooded the three times World Cup winner with well wishesCredit: AFP More