Angel Correa: “Doctors lied to me about my heart condition”
Atlético Madrid's Argentine forward revealed that following heart surgery, there was a risk that his football days could be over.
Atlético de Madrid forward Ángel Correa opened up about the death of his father and two of his brothers in an interview with Enganche and says that playing football has helped him deal with loss. Correa also spoke about undergoing surgery for a heart complaint: "I was told that everything was going to be fine and that there was no risk that I wouldn't be able to play football against, but it was all lies".
Can you describe 'Cholo' Simeone? "He's a winner. He talks a lot to us, he knows an incredible amount about football. Since I arrived at the club in 2014, he has been teaching me a lot and he continues to do so".
What does football mean to you? "Since I was 10 years old, when I lost my father, it became something which took everything bad away. Later, I lost two of my brothers and football helped me to deal with that and get over it. Every time I step out onto the pitch I forget about the losses I have suffered and the only thing I do is try to enjoy myself with my team mates at Atleti or my friends in Rosario".
Looking after the rest of the family
Becoming the family's bread winner: "That started on the day when my agent paid me and I gave my whole pay packet to my mother so that we would have food to eat. It was about 1000 or 1200 pesos. Later I always had my godfather who looked after me. He would take me to buy new boots, football kits, and he advised me not to neglect my studies. That's something I will always be grateful to him for".
Undergoing heart surgery: "I was in Argentina with my agent for a medical check-up and I'd already signed the contract to join Atlético, but the doctors noticed something strange and told me that I would need an operation. My first thought was that I didn't want to undergo surgery because it would mean missing the Copa Libertadores semi-final with San Lorenzo. It had been such hard work getting that far that I was excited about playing the semis. But when I thought it through, we decided that it would be best for me to have the operation because I was young and would be able to recover well and that's what happened. But it hurt me that I missed the semi-final and the final with San Lorenzo".
Not being able to play football again after the operation: "Fortunately that never happened. It was the first thing I asked the medical staff before I underwent the operation. Doctors told me that everything would be fine and that there would be no risk of me having to quit football but it was all lies. They lied to me. They didn't tell me the full details before the operation so that I would go ahead with it. But afterwards, when it all went well, they admitted that there was a possibility that if the operation had turned out badly, I wouldn't have been able to play football again".
Correa loving international duty with Argentina
World Cup Russia: "Playing for the national team is the best thing there is. I was with Argentina quite a lot during qualifying and I enjoyed every minute - every training session. Going there and training side by side with those incredible players - who treat like one of them is a unique experience. They treat all of the young lads who come to play for the national team as though they've been internationals for years. I can't wait for my next call-up, I'll be working my socks off to be at my best level. Argentina has a lot of players who want the same as I want".
