Latest news with #JoanGonzalez
Scottish Sun
5 days ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Serie A star Joan Gonzalez forced to retire aged just 23 with rare heart condition after club doctor ‘saved his life'
Lecce's club president has spoken out about Gonzalez's decision STAR'S HEART SHOCK Serie A star Joan Gonzalez forced to retire aged just 23 with rare heart condition after club doctor 'saved his life' Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) 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. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Joan Gonzalez has been forced to hang up his boots Credit: Getty 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." Newcastle confirm first summer signing after pipping Barcelona, Real Madrid and Porto to Spanish wonderkid 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.
The Irish Sun
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Serie A star Joan Gonzalez forced to retire aged just 23 with rare heart condition after club doctor ‘saved his life'
SERIE A star Joan Gonzalez has been forced to retire aged 23 due to a heart condition. The former Advertisement 2 Joan Gonzalez has been forced to hang up his boots Credit: Getty 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. Advertisement READ MORE IN FOOTBALL "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." Advertisement Most read in Football 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." Newcastle confirm first summer signing after pipping Barcelona, Real Madrid and Porto to Spanish wonderkid Damiani then admitted that he believes Gonzalez will become a "great manager". The Spaniard played 66 times for Lecce's first team, scoring twice. Advertisement Gonzalez's final appearance came on May 26, 2024 - in his side's 0-0 draw with 2 Gonzalez had to sit out of the 24-25 season Credit: Getty
The Sun
5 days ago
- Health
- The Sun
Serie A star Joan Gonzalez forced to retire aged just 23 with rare heart condition after club doctor ‘saved his life'
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. 2 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.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Former La Masia midfielder forced to retire at 23 due to heart condition
Former La Masia midfielder forced to retire at 23 due to heart condition Joan Gonzalez, once regarded as one of La Masia's most promising young midfielders, has been forced to retire from professional football at just 23 years of age, reports MARCA. The decision comes after doctors at Italian club Lecce discovered a congenital heart condition during routine preseason medical checks ahead of the 2024/25 season. Advertisement Sadly, the nature of the condition makes it impossible for Gonzalez to continue playing at the highest level. Since the diagnosis, Gonzalez has not played a single minute this season. Despite undergoing a year's worth of examinations and specialised tests, the outlook has not changed. Lecce president Saverio Sticchi Damiani confirmed the unfortunate news in a public statement, stating, '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. 'So, with great regret, I must tell you that he will not receive a definitive medical clearance and will no longer be able to play football at a professional level.' A career filled with promise and passion Joan Gonzalez has been forced into retirement. (Photo by) Born in Barcelona and trained at clubs like Cornella, FC Barcelona, and Lecce's youth academy, Gonzalez made a name for himself as a physically strong and technically gifted pivot. Advertisement After switching from La Masia to Lecce in 2021, he steadily worked his way into the Italian side's first team. In Serie A, Gonzalez made 44 appearances. During this time, he scored two goals and assisted four more, establishing himself as a reliable and talented midfield option for Lecce. Although his career has been cut short far too early, Gonzalez leaves the game with his head held high. He overcame countless challenges to reach the top, and even though his professional journey ends here, his story will remain one of inspiration and perseverance for future young players coming through La Masia and beyond.
