Joan Gonzalez, a promising midfielder from Lecce, has been forced to retire from professional football at the young age of 23 due to a recently discovered heart condition. The news comes as a shock to fans and the football community alike.
Gonzalez, who began his career in Barcelona`s renowned youth academy, joined Lecce`s youth team in 2021. He quickly progressed to the senior squad, making 64 appearances in Serie A and contributing two goals and four assists during his time with the club.
The heart condition was initially detected during routine pre-season medical tests last summer. Following the discovery, Gonzalez underwent further examinations and was advised to take a year off to see if his condition would improve with treatment. Unfortunately, recent tests showed no improvement, leading to the difficult decision to retire.
Lecce`s President Praises Medical Staff
Lecce President Saverio Sticchi Damiani expressed his gratitude to the club`s medical team during a press conference, stating, “We saved his life. I must commend our medical staff and cardiologist Professor Tondo for discovering this irregularity and saving the young man`s life. I also applaud Gonzalez for receiving the news with remarkable composure.”
Damiani also revealed that Gonzalez has already begun pursuing higher education in economics, adding, “Joan is currently studying economics, and I hope he will become an excellent business manager.”
Despite being sidelined for a full year, Gonzalez has not wasted time. He enrolled in university to study economics and business, with hopes of maintaining a connection to football in a non-playing capacity in the future.
While the early retirement is undoubtedly a significant setback for the young player, the quick action of Lecce`s medical team may have prevented a potential tragedy on the field. The football community now rallies behind Gonzalez as he transitions into this new chapter of his life.