Roma defender Leandro Castán is set to return to action a year after being told he needed brain surgery, and that he might never play again.
Castán says he is feeling “stronger than ever" as he prepares for an emotional return to the heart of the Roma defense this season. The Brazilian was diagnosed with a brain cavernoma after reporting dizziness last September. He was quoted in ESPN: “I asked if I could terminate my contract with Roma and go home to Brazil to be treated near my family. That was back in October, but [Roma"s sporting director] Walter Sabatini said no and he gave me a few weeks off to work out what I wanted from my life. I never felt abandoned at any time and if I"d been at another club, probably I would have retired. Not only did they refuse to consider terminating my contract, they even renewed it and gave me a pay rise."
He continued: “I"m feeling stronger than ever. It"s my goal to be a first-team regular again. I was afraid I would never play again and I owe a great deal to this club, who have always been right beside me."
Roma defender Leandro Castán is set to return to action a year after being told he needed brain surgery, and that he might never play again.
Castán says he is feeling “stronger than ever" as he prepares for an emotional return to the heart of the Roma defense this season. The Brazilian was diagnosed with a brain cavernoma after reporting dizziness last September. He was quoted in ESPN: “I asked if I could terminate my contract with Roma and go home to Brazil to be treated near my family. That was back in October, but [Roma"s sporting director] Walter Sabatini said no and he gave me a few weeks off to work out what I wanted from my life. I never felt abandoned at any time and if I"d been at another club, probably I would have retired. Not only did they refuse to consider terminating my contract, they even renewed it and gave me a pay rise."
He continued: “I"m feeling stronger than ever. It"s my goal to be a first-team regular again. I was afraid I would never play again and I owe a great deal to this club, who have always been right beside me."
