Bayern Munich goalkeeper Mala Grohs has been diagnosed with cancer and says she will be out for an “indefinite period”.
Team-mates and fans are rallying round the 23-year-old, while Bayern have extended her contract until June 2026.
AlamyMaria Grohs won the hearts of fans with a video saying she had cancer[/caption]
APGrohs is in her third season as Bayern’s first-choice stopper[/caption]
Grohs revealed in a powerful video message she had the condition but added she was “generally very optimistic” ahead of treatment.
The three-time Bundesliga Women-title winner explained: “I was diagnosed with a malignant tumour.
“I’m in the very best hands with the doctors here.
“The girls and everyone at the club are really supporting me in any way that they can.”
She continued: “The whole thing is definitely a challenge that I never thought I would have to overcome”.
And after adding a little laugh at that thought, she added: “But with the help of everyone here I’ll certainly beat it.”
Grohs said: “I’m going to try to be around the team as much as I can now to absorb the energy that the girls give and to be part of things, and then we’ll surely see each other again very soon.”
Bayern director of women’s football Bianca Rech spoke out to say: “The team, the coaching and support team and we as the entire FC Bayern family are firmly on Mala’s side.
“She will receive all of our support, which is one of the things we wanted to express with the contract extension.
“We wish Mala a lot of strength and the best possible recovery from the bottom of our hearts.”
Bayern’s England Euro 2022 hero Georgia Stanway was amongst the many other well-wishers – from players and fans around the world.
The ex-Blackburn and Manchester City midfielder said: “We are with you!”
Bayern captain Glodis Perla Viggosdottir added: “With you through it all.”
The club’s Austria midfielder Sarah Zadrazil shared a post of the keeper with the words: “You got this, and we got you!”
And the Bayern squad as a whole posed with her match top which had “We are with you!” printed on it.
Grohs joined Bayern from VfL Bochum in 2019 as reserve stopper.
She became first-choice two years ago, playing 81 senior games and also winning the German Super Cup.
Grohs is confident all the support she is getting will play a part in her returning to play many more games.
She said: “With the help I am now getting from all sides, I will manage it and get completely healthy again.”
Messages of support flooded in from fans too.
One posted: “Our angle Mala. We will win, You are not alone. We love you.”
Another wrote: “I hope it is a comfort to Mala to know that even in the world of football there are players who are role models for having beaten cancer.”
A third insisted: “She will be back stronger.”
Bayern also won widespread praise for extending Grohs’ contract.
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