The former Senegal coach says he is facing "the match of his life" in his battle against cancer but has found strength from the Monaco defender's fight against the illness
Former Senegal coach Bruno Metsu says he is taking inspiration from Eric Abidal as he looks to overcome his own battle with cancer.
The
59-year-old, who famously led his Senegal side to victory over France
in the opening game of the 2002 World Cup, was told he was in a terminal
phase of cancer of the liver, lungs and colon 10 years later in October
2012.
Metsu admits it was a horrible shock to him and his
family, but the Monaco defender's battle against the illness whilst at
Barcelona has given him hope.
"I saw a programme on Eric Abidal that gives strength and inspiration to others. That is a powerful thing," he told L'Equipe.
"They gave me three months.
It was an enormous shock. I was with Viviane, my wife, and we were
crying as we left the hospital. You think about your kids and everyone
around you.
"I started chemotherapy almost immediately and when I went to the
hospital I was in a wheelchair, I was so weak but there was no question
of giving up.
"Often as a coach, you tell your players, 'today is the match of your
life'. But no, it isn't. Today, yes, I am playing the match of my
life."
Although Metsu's health is still not good, he has gained 2kg recently
having lost 17kg since being diagnosed, but says he has not allowed the
illness to defeat him.
"When someone gives you three months, you fight to go further," he continued.
"In February, we didn't notice that I had pneumonia and I had
chemotherapy on top of it. I stayed 10 days between life and death. That
was the most difficult fight that I have known. Ninety per cent of
people don't survive this situation but I had an incredible desire to
survive.
"I have learned a lot about myself and family values. Today I can
watch my children grow up and I have had nine months of happiness at
their side and it's so much better than football.
"These kind of challenges can also bring a lot too. You see things
differently. You take on a completely new way of thinking and how to be
strong, like Abidal."
As well as his spell in charge of Senegal, Metsu has also coached
Qatar, United Arab Emirates and Guinea, in a coaching career which began
in 1987.
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