Former Leeds United captain Dom Matteo issues moving Christmas message and thanks city that saved his life

Matteo was diagnosed with a brain tumour last November and underwent life-saving surgery at Leeds General Infirmary along with a heavy dose of radiotherapy.

A brain scan in April then came back clear though Matteo’s fight continues with the 46-year-old former defender needing medication and regular scans whilst also re-learning to read and write.

Matteo, though, says he is now in a “good place” with the former Scotland international looking to help others and determined to savour Christmas 2020.

“It’s going to mean everything to me,” Matteo told The Yorkshire Evening Post, asked what Christmas 2020 would mean to himself and his family.

“Being brutally honest, I don’t remember last Christmas and that’s the truth.

“I spent so much time in hospital and the wife had to hold the fort for me.

“We have got three kids and we are just going to enjoy it the best way we can and try and have a nice Christmas because last year wasn’t the best Christmas I have ever had but I’m in a good position now, mentally and physically.

"Yes, there will be scans coming up again soon but I’m in a good place, I feel strong and there are a lot of other people in worse positions than me at the moment and I am just trying to help a few as well.

“I speak to a few people and I try and help everyone around that Leeds area.

“I am involved now with Yorkshire Cancer Research and I am going to try and help as much as I can because living with an illness like I have is tough at times.

"There are other people in the same position and I just want to try and be a support mechanism for as many as I can and I really feel so strongly about helping people in the Yorkshire area as well.

“They are the doctors and the nurses who kept me alive and saved my life and I can never thank them enough for what they have done for me, especially in the Leeds area, because they changed my life.”

Matteo joined Leeds from Liverpool in August 2000 and went on to make 142 appearances for the Whites.

The former defender signed for United having played in 155 games for the Reds as part of a career that featured spells at Blackburn Rovers and Stoke City before Matteo retired.

Following surgery that saved his life, the former defender is now urging anybody who is battling illness to show brave resolve and fight.

“I have got to have scans regularly and stuff but I am just so determined to get through this part of my life,” said Matteo.

“It’s not going to be easy but I like a challenge, as they say in the football world, and you have got to have that kind of mentality.

“I speak to people about certain stuff and I send messages to as many people as I can.

“It’s hard to keep up sometimes because my reading and writing isn’t brilliant at the minute but I am improving every day with that and I just want to give everyone a bit of an inspiring message by saying ‘I’ve got cancer, but cancer hasn’t got me’ and that’s what I believe in.

“I just keep going and keep believing in what I am doing and just try and have a strong mental attitude and outlook on everything because who knows what’s around the corner.

“What happened to me, I didn’t know this was going to happen and it did and I am dealing with it the best way I know which is using all my resources that I can in my own head and physically and mentally just trying to build my stamina up again.

“When you have had an illness like I have had and am still living with, you have to have some kind of fight in you and I have got that.

“Anyone else who is in the same position, that’s what they need to do, you have to fight and it is hard at times.

“Some days you are knackered or you are tired or whatever you are but you have just got to keep going, you have got to find a way.

“The more I do stuff like that, the better I am getting and the stronger I am feeling.”

Offering his particularly poignant season’s greetings. Matteo added: “No one knows what is just around the corner and I just want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and bring some positivity into your life.

“If anyone needs a chat I’m always available to speak to people.

“I can talk all day and I might at some point focus my work into trying to help other people as well as helping myself.

“I am looking forward to what’s ahead and looking forward to this Christmas and New Year because I don’t remember last year.”

https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/yorkshire-evening-post-launch-leeds-united-only-digital-subscription-ahead-premier-league-campaign-2967964

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Thank you Laura Collins