When cancer shook the world of football

Bradley Lowery (R) and Jermain Defoe (L) [Photo: Courtesy]

English striker Jermain Defoe once held his friend Bradley Lowery high in his arms after an English premier league game. He wiped his tears as his team fans cheered him. Defoe had moved from United States of America to sign for Sunderland where he would meet a new friend in Bradley- a 6-year-old boy whose health was hanging on a cliff, close to the very edge.

Bradley had established a name in the hearts of Sunderland lovers as a mascot but not only that. He was battling neuroblastoma- a type of cancer that was eating him and draining his him. When Chelsea took on Sunderland, Lowery took a penalty and scored against the then Chelsea’s goal keeper Asmir Begovic, to the applause of the fans from all teams.

The eyes of sympathizers and admirers came in his way at the stadium as he waved back to them with a smile and strenuous face.

On July 7, 2017, Lowery’s mother would confirm the worst news via her Facebook post. She posted:

Lowery’s life had been cut short at tender age but his smile and active nature was fresh in the minds of many soccer fans. Former Tottenham Hotspurs striker was stung beyond imagination.

“He will always be in my heart for the rest of my life," declared Defoe as tributes came across the globe for the young fallen soccer enthusiast.

Bradley’s death would embolden just how the world of football has been under attack of one of the most dreaded diseases-cancer.

His demise would come 1 year after the death of former Ajax international and Barcelona legend Johan Cruyff who battled lung cancer only to lose the battle.

As revealed by The Guardian, a statement that confirmed Cruyff’s death read:

“On March 24 2016 Johan Cruyff (68) died peacefully in Barcelona, surrounded by his family after a hard fought battle with cancer. It’s with great sadness that we ask you to respect the family’s privacy during their time of grief.”

Former Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova took a final bow after battling throat cancer. The Spaniard resigned from his job and would later be succeeded by Argentine coach Tata Gerardo Martino.  His death would rekindle his rivalry with the current Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho, especially on the incident that the duo clashed.

Another sorry fate in the game would fall on the former Sevilla coach Eduardo Berizzo when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Berizzo would later be relieved of his duties after it came out that his feeble health was a major hindrance to their league campaign.