Former Argentinian International Jonas Gutierrez revealed to a TV Station in Argentina his current predicament. The player was diagnosed with testicular cancer, which was generated after clashing against Arsenal's Bacary Sagna. After finding out he had testicular cancer, he had to take care of it himself, since he claims Newcastle, his former club, did not back him up with money or any kind of support.
"I clashed against Sagna on the final game of the season, and I felt a lot of pain. My doctor told me to let it go, since I would have time to recover. I worked out during preseason feeling some pains, and finally when the season started, I noticed my privates were swollen. I went back to the doctor, they ran some tests and told me I had the disease," Gutierrez told during the interview.
"I told the team I preferred to be treated in Argentina, because it would be easier for me to understand everything. Six weeks after having my testicle removed, I went back to England and trained a few times with the club, when coach Pardew told me that the best thing for me was to play somewhere else," Gutierrez continued. "I was surprised because I had been a starter for almost five years and all of a sudden they wanted to let me go. I played six months for Norwich, but I came down with another injury and when I was ready to come back, the coach had been fired and his replacement did not count on me."
Jonas made it clear that Newcastle never gave up any money for his treatment, having paid everything himself despite being under contract:
"Money is not important for me, I just wanted to tell my story so other guys around can relate to it and be careful. I also wanted to thank people such as Gabriel Heinze and Fabricio Coloccini, who have been there for me all the way. Coloccini comes to Argentina to check up on me and hang around, they have given me a lot of strenght to face the toughest match of my life," Gutierrez concluded.
The player, still under contract with Newcastle, will try to make a comeback once his chemotherapy sessions end this month. He may be ready to return this December.
Jonas Gutierrez (with a hat) after the interview.
