Sebastien Haller opens up on his battle back from a testicular tumour
‘I was focused like it was a big game’: Sebastien Haller reveals how he used a sporting mentality during his battle with a testicular tumour… as the Borussia Dortmund striker insists he ‘enjoys every moment a bit more’ after his incredible return
- Sebastien Haller is back playing after having treatment for a testicular tumour
- He’s set to play in Borussia Dortmund’s Champions League game with Chelsea
- The Dortmund striker has opened up on the battle that he faced and his recovery
Sebastien Haller has opened up on his efforts to return from a testicular tumour and revealed he treated chemotherapy ‘like a big match’.
The Borussia Dortmund striker joined the club from Ajax for £31million in July, but fell unwell in training just two weeks later, with medical examinations confirming that he had a tumour.
Haller had to undergo chemotherapy and two operations in the final months of 2022 – but returned to action last month.
He has since played six times in all competitions for Dortmund and is continuing to build up his fitness.
Haller scored his first competitive goal against Freiburg earlier this month, which also came on World Cancer Day, while wearing boots that had a personalised message saying ‘F*** cancer’.
Sebastien Haller has opened up on his efforts to fight back from a testicular tumour diagnosis
Haller had to undergo chemotherapy and two surgeries after being diagnosed with a tumour
The Ivory Coast international is now preparing to be a part of Dortmund’s side for their Champions League game with Chelsea on Wednesday, as he continues his inspirational recovery.
And speaking to The Times, the 28-year-old explained the initial ordeal he faced when he was told he had a tumour.
‘I’m not someone who has a crazy reaction,’ he explained. ‘I wanted to wait to hear all the information to then react or make a plan.
‘(But all the information), it’s quite imposing. You try to process and digest all the information.
‘You always try to come back to the root. What is the first thing you need to do when something like that happens? Change your routine, your life.
‘At this moment I directly put football on hold. OK, now something serious is happening; nothing else is important. All I’m thinking about is the health and new routine.’
After being diagnosed, Haller had to undergo surgery and four rounds of chemotherapy which led to physical effects such as his hair falling out and his body becoming bloated.
But the forward insisted he maintained a positive attitude and treated the chemotherapy like it was a big match.
The 28-year-old star joined Dortmund for £31m from Ajax in the summer but soon fell unwell
He returned to competitive action for the German side last month and has played six times
He explained: ‘This is nothing (the side effects). For me, this is just appearance, just physical. The real side-effects are the headaches, the nausea, the pains in your stomach.
‘This was annoying at the hospital, because the vibes are not the best, so it doesn’t help to make you feel better.
‘I am someone who’s trying to be positive all the time. I have this mindset that I want to be able to get through things. I was putting the bad thoughts away. ‘Hospital? Yeah, let’s go.’
‘You have the chemo and every day you have this liquid in your body and you’re just focused — like a game.
‘You have five days that are s***. But, OK, you are not alone. Seventy-two hours [of feeling unwell], and then it will be OK for two weeks.
‘You are thinking about your family and seeing your family, resting and enjoying it. I kept those ideas in my mind.’
Haller had to undergo a second surgery in late November, which the forward had hoped was avoidable.
But it was a success and he received the all-clear soon after, marking the start of his return to the pitch.
Haller insisted he remained positive and he wasn’t bothered by side effects of chemotherapy
Haller is relishing being back on the pitch and is continuing to build up his match fitness
Haller’s first appearance back for Dortmund came in the final 15 minutes of a friendly against Fortuna Dusseldorf ahead of the Bundesliga resuming following the World Cup.
And for Haller, this was a moment to cherish after everything he had been through.
He explained: ‘It was perfect, beautiful but all the time I was focused on my body, because a lot of things changed.
‘It was one of the steps towards playing 100 per cent. Still I am in the process.’
That next step is Wednesday’s clash with Chelsea at Signal Iduna Park in a tie that Dortmund will believe they have real chance of progressing from.
Haller is relishing the opportunity of returning to Europe’s elite club competition and insisted everything that has happened to him over recent months has changed his outlook on life.
He added: ‘It means a lot to be back in the Champions League. You think about all the work you’ve done and that, if I didn’t train that much or realise how important it is to be fit, I would be so far from here.
‘I feel lucky as well, happy, satisfied and really looking forward to [playing].
‘You change. You enjoy every moment a bit more. You know how important your family are but, in this moment, you try to put bad thoughts away.
‘We are here for a short amount of time, unfortunately, and it needs to be the best possible.’