Serie A star Joan Gonzalez forced to retire aged just 23 with rare heart condition after club doctor ‘saved his life'

The Sun

a day ago

SERIE A star Joan Gonzalez has been forced to retire aged 23 due to a heart condition.
The former Barcelona academy starlet joined Lecce from the Catalan giants in 2021.
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Gonzalez did not feature last season, after a congenital heart condition was detected in the summer of 2024.
Following recent further tests, the midfielder was forced to hang up his boots.
Explaining the situation, club president Sticchi Damiani said: "He will not receive medical clearance.
"The season began, unfortunately, with a major obstacle: the bad news about Joan Gonzalez, who failed his medical.
"We called him back after a year for a new check-up, which took place a few days ago, and the situation remains the same."
Damiani was then full of praise for Lecce's medical staff.
The Italian continued: "A round of applause to our medical team, to Dr. Tondo, because they detected a congenital condition that is very difficult to diagnose.
"It's a case study. Thanks to that, the boy's life was saved."
Damiani also gushed over Gonzalez's professionalism and ability.
The Lecce chief added: "He has faced it with a balance, serenity and intelligence that make us think he would have been a great footballer."
Damiani then admitted that he believes Gonzalez will become a "great manager".
The Spaniard played 66 times for Lecce's first team, scoring twice.
Gonzalez's final appearance came on May 26, 2024 - in his side's 0-0 draw with Napoli on the final day of the 2023-24 season.