Athletic Bilbao player Yeray Alvarez was diagnosed with testicular cancer in December of last year. He had a testicle removed, and was remarkably back playing in La Liga by the first week of February. However, last month after a check up, he was told the disease has returned, and he's currently undergoing chemotherapy.
The second diagnosis resulted in him having to pull out of Spain's Under-21 European Championship campaign in Poland
The central defender shaved his head bald following the second diagnosis in June, but his Bilbao team mates have shown some top quality characteristics. The entirety of the first team squad has thrown their support behind Alvarez by shaving themselves bald in solidarity.
We’re with you, @yerayalvarez4 ! #EutsiYeray pic.twitter.com/BEuaLNAftf
— Athletic Club (@Athletic_en) July 7, 2017
Oscar De Marcos is a Bilbao club legend, having made over 250 appearances for the Basque side, and the midfielder appeared at a press conference in Lezama in Switzerland, where Bilbao's pre-season is based, to explained the decision:
We wanted to catch by surprise our mate.
Our support is not only for Yeray Alvarez , it's also for all the people who are undergoing these kind of situations. We are here for everything. He is OK, he is showing his strength.
We know that everything will be Ok, but the way is long and we'll be by his side.
Bilbao come to Dublin this time next month to take on Liverpool in an International Club Friendly.
