The alert was a discomfort made in training. A few hours later, and after “intensive medical examinations”, the implacable diagnosis fell for Sébastien Haller; a tumor in the testicles. While his club was preparing for its new season in Switzerland, in Bad Ragaz, the Ivorian striker was forced to leave his teammates.
The former AJAX player is now back in Dortmund, Germany, where “further examinations will take place at a specialized medical center” according to his club. “This news was a shock for Sébastien Haller and for all of us,” said BVB sporting director Sebastian Kehl.
“The whole BVB family wishes Sébastien a full recovery as soon as possible and that we can hug him again soon. We will do everything in our power to ensure that he receives the best possible treatment,” he added.
“Let his privacy be respected”
Borussia Dortmund “request that the privacy of the player and his family be respected and that no questions be asked”. He also promises to communicate “in consultation with the player” as soon as more information is obtained.
Before him, other players have also been affected by testicular cancer. Among them, the French international Joël Bats or the Dutch winger Arjen Robben, both cured.
Sébastien Haller has only just arrived at his new club, where he completes the departure of Erling Haaland to Manchester City.
In recent days, he had clearly announced his objective of “scoring as many goals as possible to deserve (the) title” of top scorer in the championship.