GET WELL SOON

Former Liverpool and Newcastle United star Jose Enrique is recovering in hospital after successful surgery to remove a rare brain tumour.

The former Premier League star, 32, who had been working as a pundit around Reds games, announced on Instagram the reason for a recent absence on social media had been due to the medical emergency.

1 Former Liverpool star Jose Enrique in action against Everton.

He posted a picture of his story on the website of Spanish publication Marca with a caption explaining his current situation.

“Sorry i haven’t been around much, It has been the toughest few weeks of my life.. Within the space of one month I have found out the news that I have a rare brain tumor and had surgery to have it removed, I am now in recovery and so thankful, Life is too precious.” [sic]

Enrique spent four seasons with Newcastle from 2007-2011 before five campaigns with Liverpool but retired from professional football in September 2017 following a knee injury while on the books at Real Zaragoza.

Enrique had been working as an agent since ending his playing days, and told Marca he first realised something was seriously wrong after suffering headaches while meeting with Brighton manager Chris Hughton.

He was initially treated in London but once the diagnosis was known Enrique returned home to Valencia to have the tumour removed at La Fe hospital. He still needs further sessions of radiotherapy before making a full recovery.

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“There are only four machines in Europe,” he told Marca. “My options are to go to Zurich or Paris. I have to have 35 sessions. It will take about a month and a half, but that is not important. I want to get well.

“I was told that I might stay blind, but then I regained my vision and even the doctors were surprised.

“I want to thank my girlfriend, my parents and my brothers, as well as Dr Simal, his team and La Fe hospital.

“All this makes me value life more,” he added. “Football players live in a bubble, it’s an unreal life. You lose yourself and think you’re invincible.”

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