Atlético Madrid’s Saúl Ñíguez recalls the night when he feared his career was over
At the end of every match and every training session for two years Saúl Ñíguez left the pitch, headed to the toilet and pissed blood. Every day it hurt, every day was a risk but the Atlético Madrid midfielder did not stop. Nor, though, did he entirely leave it behind until he returned to the place where his career could have ended – to the place his kidney burst.
That night in February 2015 at the BayArena in Leverkusen, barely able to stand, he had departed in the arms of the physio, vomiting repeatedly as they made their way to the dressing room; they had to stop seven times.
“I think it was my first start in the Champions League and that happens,” Saúl recalled. “It was the worst night of my career, not just because of the injury itself but seeing my dad there in tears.”
Saúl has been central to a recovery in the second half of the season that takes Atlético to territory they have trodden before. It has taken Saúl there, too. If Atlético must overcome familiar opponents to make the final, Saúl has already overcome familiar obstacles of his own. In the round of 16 they returned to Leverkusen and afterwards he revealed what had happened since his last visit. “For the last two years I played with an internal catheter,” he told Uefa. “I urinated blood after every training session and every match. I had to put my own health at risk to defend these colours and fulfil my dream. I gambled with my health, driven by the desire to play for Atlético. People don’t see that and don’t appreciate it.”
Volimo te Saule, anđele.



