Not been blogging for a long time... So if u were waiting, sorry.. But I think everyone is too busy with their exams so... I guess not... So here goes...
In the past three years, Spain and its national obsession have been catapulted into prevalence thanks to numerous successes on the football field. At international level, La Furia Roja(Spain) obliterated the underachievement that had previously prevailed in their history by winning the European Championships in 2008, as well as the biggest prize of all, the World Cup, in South Africa last summer. Players such as Xavi, Andres Iniesta and David Villa have became global icons, and with their stylistic, enticing, mesmerising approach to the game, they became many purists' pick of an example of where greatness has been suitably compensated.
At club level, the game has never been stronger, either; Barcelona continue to collect accolades and indoctrinate a new generation on the ways of Los Cules, while Madrid, albeit living in the embittered shadow of their cross-district rivals, have at times produced scintillating football of their own. Sevilla and most recently Atletico Madrid have lifted UEFA’s second-tier European trophy, while Villarreal are ubiquitously praised for the scintillating, high-scoring nature of their matches.
It has been an unforgettable period, a halcyon era in description. But amidst the highs, the lows have been harrowing and difficult to comprehend.
Puerta, Jarque and Ruben De La Red
The recent, somewhat unprecedented, spate of heart-related problems suffered by professional footballers has been extensively assessed, and dutifully researched, but without real conclusion. Antonio Puerta’s tragic passing at the age of 22 in August 2007 was an earth-shattering blow for all concerned, and triggered a recurring theme that resembled the worst nightmare of professional athletes. Seemingly fit, physically supreme specimens, such as Puerta, were succumbing to unforeseen heart defects.
Ruben de la Red suffered an eerily similar on-pitch collapse to Puerta, a year later for Real Madrid in a Copa del Rey clash against Real Union. In this instance, Los Blancos’ medical team saved the emerging international midfielders’ life, but Ruben has since been forced to retire from the game altogether after doctors concluded that it was unsafe for him to continue his career.
Then, in August 2009 during a pre-season training camp, Espanyol captain Daniel Jarque was found dead in his hotel room having suffered a heart attack at the inconceivably young age of 26. It was an incident that enveloped not just Spanish football but the game as a whole in grief. His former teammates battled to appreciate losing their leader so suddenly and with such tragic undertones.
Among the accomplishments, Spain has mourned those who will never be forgotten, and the triumphant campaigns of 2008 and 2010 at times felt like a concerted effort, a cumulative act of remembrance for both Puerta and Jarque, and the stolen talent of Ruben de la Red.
Sanchez's Return
During Copa del Rey match involving Sevilla and Villarreal, a form of redemption could be found in the return of one Sergio Sanchez.
On 1 January 2010, medics at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan advised the defender that he should not participate in physical activity until 'rigourous tests' could be undertaken on his heart, after he had complained of chest pains. Two weeks later, the then 23-year-old's career lay in ruins; another training session could kill him, and the memories of Puerta and most prominently Jarque, who had been a teammate of Sanchez at Espanyol, were once again thrust in sharp focus.
"I feel shattered and destroyed, but Antonio Puerta's and Dani Jarque's families would give everything to be in my situation," said Sanchez as he addressed the world, simultaneously distressed at recalling the deaths of the duo, and also at the perceived disintegration of everything he had known.
"My family makes this much easier to bear and, fortunately, I have many people around me who help me to think postively."
Club and colleagues rallied round, dedicating their cup win over holders Barcelona to his recovery, but the Catalunya-born stopper was forced to wait, to allow doctors to evaluate whether a high-risk operation could legitimately facilitate a return to action.
In March, Sanchez was given the option. The risks were laid bare, and the benefits proved in his favour. His career could be saved if the surgery was successful.
The next nine months witnessed a rehabilitation programme like no other; the defender was constantly spotted by two physicians, taking endless readings, and taking absolutely no chances. With the precedence set, the player moved to Hamburg to work with an elite team of fitness experts who monitored his every move.
As time passed, Sanchez began to consider the possibility that he could once again walk onto the pitch for Los Nervionenses, but his doctors remained more precautious than optimistic, refusing to raise hopes for fear of a setback.
He knew, though, that his body had responded. Towards the end of November, he commented: "For me, football is my life, and I wonder what I would do without it. There are millions of questions to consider, not only about football, but about life.
"I feel like my comeback was never in doubt."
Eventually, he was given the green light to return, and in a crucial match, too. Sevilla, as holders of the trophy, had drawn 3-3 at El Madrigal against the Yellow Submarines and had to finish the job at home in order to set up a meeting with Real Madrid in the semi-finals.
Sanchez was thrown in from the start, just over thirteen months after he had previously worn the red and white of the Andalucians, and in a defence that had kept just two clean sheets in their last 15 outings, he was influential in a 3-0 victory.
Three-and-half-years after losing Puerta to an outpouring of sorrow, Sevilla's fans welcomed back one they had feared had also been lost to them. His reception was raptourous, poignant and worthy of mention both in celebration of his return, but also as a memorial to those had had not been as fortunate.
When speaking about his experience afterwards, despite his exhilaration, he ensured that former friend Jarque remained firmly in his thoughts, "I remembered Dani. I wish he could have had this opportunity.
"When you want something and it is taken from you in life, it hurts a lot. But I chose to fight, to keep the faith and that little light of hope was growing day by day, to become a reality. It is important to enjoy what you can in life while you are alive.”
There is a feeling that Sanchez's comeback could potentially be the triumph that can ease the anguish felt for Puerta and Jarque, while serving as a suitable remembrance of their passing.
Morale of story?? I cant say what it is, cause it's up to you to interpret.. I think this is a classic example of a person attitude towards life, in times of hardship, when everything seem not to go their way... Two fell, one barely survived, and another showed the near impossible... Collapse on the pitch is not rare, but neither is it frequent.... An incident that can happen suddenly, totally unexpected.... Two emerging players remind us of the potentially fatal condition that can kill someone, Puerta and and Jarque...
To tell the truth, I have never seen these two play before, but people say they are two players of great talent... I personally think Puerta would have achieved something great... De la Red was probably the most talented of the bunch... His vision on the pitch, control of the ball, drew him many admirers... A player of high calibre, a potential great, if not for his heart problem... Many teams were after his signature, Arsenal being one of the frontrunners... But unfortunately, he fell to this ailment... Perhaps he was meant to do great things, even without being able to play, his talents can be used in the areas of coaching etc... It was still not time to let a great talent leave this planet yet....
On to Sergio Sanchez... A relative unknown to me, but this story stir up many emotions in me.... His determination, perseverance and love for his sport.... Against all odds, he has managed to step onto the pitch once again... 13 months.. It was the period from his fall, back to his return....
"For me, football is my life, and I wonder what I would do without it. There are millions of questions to consider, not only about football, but about life.
"I feel like my comeback was never in doubt."
He said this while doctors were fearing a setback, being precautious instead optimistic about his chances of a return... He knew, the doctors knew, the consequences of a setback.... But he did not give up.... He strongly believed that he will one day step into the stadium, leading his team....
A victory on his return did not cause him to forget about his ex teammate, Puerta.... Sanchez appreciated his life given back to him, he wished Puerta could have been in the same situation as him, alive, recovered and well, playing soccer.... Appreciating what YOU have instead of what OTHERS have, this made Sanchez cherish his life more than ever...
"When you want something and it is taken from you in life, it hurts a lot. But I chose to fight, to keep the faith and that little light of hope was growing day by day, to become a reality. It is important to enjoy what you can in life while you are alive.”
In a way, I believe, that as Sanchez is living his life on the pitch, he is also fulfilling what Jarque, Puerta and de la Red would want to do on the pitch....
Determination.... Belief....
Be determined in whatever you do, obstacles cant stop you... Believe you can do it, and you will do it... Dont stop believing...
I believe we should all learn from Sanchez... In the face of adversity, how many of us would did waht he did??? One training session away from death, so close to the end of his life... But he did not give up his career and love immediately.... He had in him a belief, that one day, he will return.... Most of us would have accepted the fate, but how many would try to turn his fortunes, change his life, change it to what should be or should have been???
Whining... He din do that.. Sanchez did not sit in one corner and sob, cursing his fate... Instead he did something about it.... A long 13 months, an arduous one, was enough for him to return back to where he was initially... Shattered, destroyed, the initial feelings.. But he thought positively... He knew how much the families of Jarque and Puerta would have wanted them to be Sanchez position, alive at least....
How we think is critical to how we live... Pessimistic, and u can guess where your life will be going... Only with optimism can you change your life.... Pessimism is just accepting ur fate....
Fate, set and written before our birth... Yet has anyone wondered that maybe, just maybe, that in the story, changing your fate was one of the chapters???
Sergio Sanchez, a walking example of a person who changed his life, through his belief, determination, perseverance and so much many more.... Someone we should learn from... To believe that everything is possible.... The life he lives now, he living it for 2 others...
Dont stop believing.... Just like Sergio Sanchez.... Only then, can you make the near impossible, possible....