Sevilla Defender Sergio Sanchez Reflects On Emotional Return To Action After 13 Months Out

Sevilla's comeback hero Sergio Sanchez overwhelmed by return to action after 13 months out.
Sevilla defender Sergio Sanchez made a triumphant return to action in Tuesday night’s 3-0 Copa del Rey win over Villarreal, after 13 months out of the game.

The former Espanyol stopper’s career was thought to be over after he was diagnosed with a heart condition, but after a strict rehabilitation program, he regained full fitness and started the match, receiving a rapturous welcome from the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.

Speaking to the media in the wake of the result that sees the cup holders progress to the last four and a meeting with either Atletico Madrid or Real Madrid, the 24-year-old could barely contain his delight.

He assessed his feelings, and insisted that former team-mate, the late Daniel Jarque, was never far from his thoughts.

He beamed: “I remembered Dani, and I wished that he too could have had this opportunity. I thought of my family who were there in the stands, and the team, who needed a victory here. I can now live a normal life.

“I felt very comfortable, and now all the suffering was worth it. When you want something and it is taken from you in life, it hurts a lot, but I chose to fight, to keep the faith and that little light of hope was growing day by day, to become a reality. It is important to enjoy what you can in life while you are alive.”