“They treated me like a piece of meat”

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Life after a career can become a hurdle for football players. It became a nightmare for Bruno Rodriguez (50). The Frenchman, who retired in 2005, had to amputate his right leg last year due to persistent and severe ankle pain.

For Rodriguez, the football clubs are responsible for the amputation. Despite the pain, he played over and over and received injections from doctors instead of taking a break.

Strong allegations against the clubs

“If I had been told this was dangerous to my health I wouldn’t have played. But I’m not a doctor. I was young so I played through the pain. I should have been treated like a human being. But I was treated like a piece of meat,” Rodriguez said in an interview with the English Times.

“I understand that there is a lot at stake. But I am appalled that no one said ‘enough is enough’ and thought about my life after my career,” he continued.

Money was more important to the clubs than his health: “It was always about other people being able to put money into their own pockets,” says the striker. However, Rodriguez does not mention specific names or clubs. While active, he made 234 appearances in Ligue 1 for PSG, Monaco, Bastia and Metz. He was also under contract with Rayo Vallecano in Spain and Bradford City in England.

“I Suffered Every Day”

After the resignation followed a long period of suffering. “I was 33 when I retired. And I’ve suffered every day since then. My wife can sign that.”

Thanks to the amputation, the father of two is now leading a new life. After rehabilitation, he was able to stand and walk independently for the first time without pain. “I sent my wife, children and friends a video of me walking for the first time. I was so happy.”

It’s the happy ending to a sad story that could have been avoided with a little empathy and that once again casts a dark shadow over the football world. (byl)

Source : Blick