Editorial
Belgian goalkeeper Miguel Van Damme has died, aged 28.
The tragic news that he passed away from leukaemia was announced in a statement by the sports star’s club, Cercle Brugge.
It read: “It is with great sadness that we report that our friend and teammate Miguel Van Damme has fought his long and uneven battle against leukaemia.
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“Words are not enough to describe what we feel, even though we knew that things had not gone well for a while. Today is an extremely difficult day in the almost 123-year history of Cercle Brugge. Our thoughts go in the first place to his wife Kyana, his daughter Camille, the parents of Miguel, his sister Francesca, but also to his many friends and family.
“Miguel, your perseverance and strength to go for it (again) over and over, setback after setback, was admirable. You are an example of positivism, persistence and fighting spirit. A source of inspiration for everyone who fights. Forever in our green-black heart, #16.”
Van Damme’s wife, Kyana Dobbelaere, also posted an emotional tribute on Instagram.
She penned: “Our dearest darling, daddy left for his last match last night, a match that can no longer be won.
“You left us very slowly, yet you did it again in your own way… very strong. You fought like a lion. We are so thankful for who you were. An example for many.
“You have made me realise that there is no such thing as giving up, even if there was only that one small glimmer of success, time and again you got over it.
“Rest now darling, you have more than earned it, you are now freed from all pain. We would love to see you.
“Big hug from your two girls. See you later.”
Over the past five and a half years, Van Damme went through an incredibly difficult time.
Prior to the 2016/17 campaign, the goalkeeper was reportedly diagnosed with blood cancer following a medical check-up.
Despite beating it on two separate occasions, Van Damme was devastatingly told it had come back for the third time and it was untreatable.
According to Belgium-based publication Sporza, the 28-year-old was told the tragic news just two days after he discovered his wife was expecting.
He is believed to have told the outlet that he was determined to see his child, saying: “I want to do everything I can to still hold the baby in my arms.”
Fortunately, he managed to do just this, and he welcomed a baby girl, named Camille, in May last year.
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