Newcastle winger Jonas Gutierrez battling testicular cancer

Posted Wednesday, September 17, 2014 by skysports.com

Newcastle winger Jonas Gutierrez battling testicular cancer
Jonas Gutierrez: Newcastle winger is battling testicular cancer

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 testicle. 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 testicle. 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."

Gutierrez last played on April 5 this year for Norwich in a 1-0 home defeat by West Brom.