Newcastle United winger Jonas Gutierrez has revealed he has been receiving treatment for testicular cancer in Argentina.
The 31-year-old Argentine, who hasn't played since April, fell out of favour at St James' Park and was loaned out to Norwich at the end of last year.
He has been undergoing chemotherapy in his homeland for the past month and tweeted on Tuesday: "Thanks for all the messages. Always looking forward."
Football fans were swift to express their sympathies for Gutierrez on social media.
Gutierrez, an impressive performer for Argentina at the 2010 World Cup, told Argentine TV: "When I confirmed that I had cancer I went home crying. This was the most difficult game I had to play.
"I detected a tumour in a ball. I came here [Argentina] and I assumed the costs, despite having a contract with Newcastle. Money is not important. What is important is health and I had to start chemotherapy.
"I removed the left bal. I returned to England and Newcastle told me to leave. It was hard to find my hair falling out. I did not want to cut it. I wanted to hold on. Fighting cancer makes the rest of the problems insignificant.
"I decided to tell my story because maybe it will help people who have cancer.
Jonas has Testicular Cancer
posted on 16/9/14
Comment Deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 16/9/14
Good luck to him.
posted on 17/9/14
Always a hard worker, I liked the guy. Best of luck Jonas!
posted on 17/9/14
Set up by a lad I went to school with. Well worth a look
http://www.checkemlads.com
posted on 17/9/14
Disgusting how newcastl & pardew treated him
posted on 17/9/14
football matters are not longer a priority for the guy! Get well soon buddy
posted on 17/9/14
comment by John Henrys Explosive Offense - #STOPISIS (U18764)
posted 2 hours, 44 minutes ago
Disgusting how newcastl & pardew treated him
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Exactly what have they done? Not commented on an immensely private matter and allowed the player to do what he needs to do? Continued to pay him his wage without question? What absolute b*stards.
Do you write for the Chronicle by any chance? They don't research anything they publish either.
posted on 17/9/14
Not the most talented player to ever play but one of the best attitudes and hardest workers I've seen at Newcastle, everyone who's ever met him has nothing but praise for him. Hopefully he can overcome this and come and be assistant manager to Colo when he usurps Pardew of his throne
posted on 19/9/14
comment by Rich6WF (U20003)
posted 2 days, 7 hours ago
comment by John Henrys Explosive Offense - #STOPISIS (U18764)
posted 2 hours, 44 minutes ago
Disgusting how newcastl & pardew treated him
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Exactly what have they done? Not commented on an immensely private matter and allowed the player to do what he needs to do? Continued to pay him his wage without question? What absolute b*stards.
Do you write for the Chronicle by any chance? They don't research anything they publish either.
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Take no notice of that little annoying sht. He goes around spouting off on pretty much every article he gets his grubby little hands on. Never has he once not got the wrong end of the stick.