The Dutch national team coach, Louis van Gaal, who announced last week that he has prostate cancer, reassured about his health condition on Monday, stating that he has already overcome the treatment for the disease.
"I underwent 25 sessions of radiotherapy. Then I had to wait five or six months to know if it had worked. It was the case," said the 70-year-old coach, quoted by the Dutch news agency ANP.
The coach, who underwent prostate surgery in February, announced last Sunday that he has been suffering from cancer since 2020, although he planned to remain in his position until the Qatar 2022 World Cup (November 21 to December 18). And in 2021, he began the treatment.
The coach explained that he had already completed 25 sessions of radiotherapy, even during the afternoons or nights of national team call-ups, which will be in Group A of the World Cup with Qatar, Senegal, and Ecuador.
His family and friends were aware, but not his players.
"You don't die from prostate cancer in most cases. It is more normal for the derived diseases to be the ones that can be deadly in this form of cancer," he told RTL television.
Messages of support for Van Gaal
After it was known that he was fighting prostate cancer since 2020, the world of soccer rallied to show their support, including Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Manchester United, among others.
"All our support and solidarity with Louis Van Gaal," tweeted Barcelona, a team coached in two stages by the Dutchman. "We wish him a quick and full recovery. Stay strong, Louis!"
Van Gaal is currently in his third term with the "Oranje" after 2000-2001 and 2012-2014.
Throughout his long career, nicknamed the "Iron Tulip" for his methods and strict attitude, he has also coached Ajax, AZ Alkmaar, Bayern Munich, and Manchester United.
Manchester United also sent "strength and encouragement" shortly after the announcement of his illness, as he was their coach between 2014 and 2016.
Bayern, on the other hand, wished their former coach Louis van Gaal "a lot of strength in the fight against cancer," the Bavarian club declared on Twitter. (AFP)
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