
Heroic Man Utd legend Antonio Valencia talks young man out of suicide attempt and says ‘life is very fragile'
The former Red Devils captain, 39, is back in
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Antonio Valencia has been hailed as a hero after helping talk a man out of a suicide attempt
Credit: Getty - Contributor
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Valencia uploaded a video of the situation to his Instagram
Credit: INSTAGRAM @antoniovalencia2525
Valencia spent a decade at Old Trafford, winning two Premier League titles and the Europa League.
The right-back also had three Premier League seasons with Wigan, and won 99 Ecuador caps.
He revealed his intervention earlier this week after spotting a young man preparing to leap off a bridge.
Valencia posted a video on Instagram of himself and police officers attempting to talk the man down.
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He wrote: "Last night [Monday] I had an experience that was far from pleasant. A lad wanted to end his life off this bridge, and he was very young.
"I got out of my car and approached him. I did not save him, but yes, I tried to talk with him.
"Thank God he recognised me. I tried to say a few words to motivate him, and it was very difficult.
"Thank God his family members then arrived, and he decided not to take his life.
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"Please, let's take care of ourselves, our minds and our hearts.
"Mental health is very important. Please, let's take care of all of this - life is very fragile."
The
"You always try to help others. Good job, bro."
Valencia's post has since received over 42,000 likes.
He also won an FA Cup and two League Cups with United after a £16million move from Wigan in 2009.
The versatile ace left the Red Devils a decade later, and ended his career with LDU Quito and Mexican club Queretaro.
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Valencia made over 330 appearances for Man Utd
Credit: PA:Empics Sport
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The 42
36 minutes ago
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He needed two operations, including an allograft for his PCL, which involves using a dead person's ankle ligament as a replacement. It took Booth 18 months, or 547 days, to make his return and it came for the Connacht Eagles against Leinster A. Nucifora and the IRFU kept faith in Booth after his injury and there was a chance he could have moved to Ulster, but Connacht was the right fit. 'Once you get back, you're like, 'Shit, I've got to get good again,'' says Booth. He raves about his time in Connacht, where he spent two seasons with the academy and then moved onto a senior deal for the 2022/23 season, during which he played twice in the URC and three times in the Challenge Cup. 'Just the smallest details were all they cared about when I was in the academy,' says Booth. 'It wasn't about the big picture. 'Andy Murphy, one of the S&C coaches at Connacht, always used to say, 'I'm not training you to be the best rugby player this weekend when you play in AIL. I'm training you to be the best rugby player in five years' time.' 'Mossy and the lads were just relentless every single day, sessions nailing the basics, catch-pass, breakdown, everything. 'You can see it the whole way up the chain to the Irish team, the smallest details, the tiniest little things like catching your passes square, keeping your feet in the breakdown, you can see where it all comes from. And it works.' Booth reckons he might settle down in Ireland when he's done with the adventures. He still chats to the crew in Connacht and Cathal Forde recently stayed with him on a visit to Sydney, payback for when Booth used to sleep on Forde's couch after nights out in Gaklway. He was saddened to be released by Connacht in 2023 and his time with Jersey Reds in the English Championship was short-lived because they folded soon after Booth joined. He ended up playing for Caldy in the Championship and then back with Sale as injury cover. Booth is now playing in Sydney with Easts. James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO The connection to Sydney was former Munster centre Alex McHenry, who was also in Jersey when the club went into liquidation and then won the Shute Shield with Easts last year before moving to Melbourne. Living in Bondi had an obvious appeal. As well as playing for Easts this year, Booth is coaching rugby at a school called Waverley College and leading strength classes at 98 Gym in Bondi. But this is not a permanent step out of full-time professional rugby for Booth. The Shute Shield is high-quality and Booth mentions how the likes of Cormac Daly have jumped from the club competition into Super Rugby in the recent past. Booth is also keeping his ear to the ground for any pro chances in France, the US, and Japan. 'It has been a complete breath of fresh air here, rugby-wise,' says Booth. 'Everyone's super competitive, the coaches are really good, and I'm more fired up for games and training than I've been in a long time. 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