Atlético Madrid midfielder’s comeback from brain cancer and mother’s paralysis
The club are hoping that with his experience of both football and his life after football, he can make a valuable contribution to the team
Alberto is one of many footballers who have made a huge impact in the world and beyond. Alberto Sanseverino is another one of those who has made an indelible mark on the football world.
In the summer of 2015, a young, promising and young looking 24 year old made his professional debut with Atlético Madrid. Only a couple of months later, he was diagnosed with a brain tumour. It rapidly spread to his brain and, despite his doctors’ best efforts to treat it, he underwent surgery on his brain on his 31st birthday. In the past two years, he has undergone a total of seven operations to eliminate the tumour – which took over 20 years to develop and grow.
A few days after the second operation to remove the tumour, the medical team received a telephone call from Atlético, informing them that the player had made a miraculous recovery from the disease.
Since then, he has been training with the club’s first team and, having reached the age of 27, has made his first appearance in the senior side against Celta Vigo on Saturday.
Alberto plays as a midfielder for Atlético Madrid. At the last World Cup, he played a central role as they reached the quarter finals
As he enters his fifth and final operation, Atlético will hope that Alberto’s experience and expertise can add to what has already meant so much to the club.
“I wish him the best and I want to be able to tell him that his story is an example to everyone,” said Atlético president, Andoni Zubizarreta, at the club’s end-of-season press conference.
“We are all delighted about his recovery and all of us have shown great interest. On his behalf, we will do everything we can – but his medical team will be in control of this process.”
Alberto Sanseverino: ‘It was a