Zlatan Ibrahímovic’s tears while speaking with his friend Thijs Slegers, who has cancer

The first big leap in the career of Zlatan Ibrahimovic it was from Malmo from Sweden to Ajax in mid-2001. When the attacker landed at The Netherlands to demonstrate all his talent, he found himself alone because of this tough personality that he showed throughout his career. Yet the journalist Thijs Slegerswho at the time was press officer for the PSVcame to life from the point and built a friendship that continues to this day.

The Dutch columnist has been fighting acute leukemia since 2020 and He is currently in the terminal phase of the disease.. Instead of being admitted to the hospital, he takes advantage of the last weeks of his life to tell the world about his personal struggle and to be an example for the thousands of people who suffer like him. In addition, he seeks to raise awareness of the importance of stem cell and blood donations through a campaign with which he has already reached about 10,000 new volunteers.

During the transmission of ESPN local, the Swedish striker was asked to remember the moment he met Thijs. “If I remember? Of course I remember, he was the only friend I had in the Netherlands. I was lost, I was young, I was confused and I had no one. Out of nowhere this reporter appeared who approached me and at that time, journalists were not my friends. They were the opposite, my enemies. We went to dinner, let’s say lunch, and the next day we were already great friends,” recalls the Milan footballer who is recovering from several knee problems.

"Thijs, unity is strength"the phrase chosen by PSV to honor the journalist (Photo: PSV)
“Thijs, unity is strength”, the phrase chosen by PSV to honor the journalist (Photo: PSV)

And he added about this: “We played tennis, he helped me a lot, he gave me all the support I needed. It was the first step in my career and I even wrote about him in my book, I was always very grateful for everything and we still keep in touch. He entered my heart from the first moment. Thijs, I just want to tell you that I love you very much my friend”. After a few seconds, Zlatan could not hold back his tears and showed all his emotion in front of the cameras for his partner’s situation.

In PSV’s recent victory against Groningen for 6-0, The whole stadium paid tribute to Slegers who was present in one of the boxes. Thousands of applause descended from the stands and photos of the club’s former press officer were seen all over the Phillips Stadium. On the pitch, footballers from both teams stopped to salute the journalist’s work with one of the biggest institutions in the Netherlands.

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