Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci has revealed he almost walked away from football this season due to the illness for his young son.
Bonucci took some time out earlier this season to spend time with his family, as his infant son Matteo was struggling with a serious illness.
He told El Pais: “For three or four months, my head was just not in the right place. It's the head that gets the legs moving. For around 15 days after the surgery, until I started to see him improving, I was just not interested in training or anything to do with football.
“I've always hated hospitals and tried to avoid them, but at that time I had to be there and I was really struggling to be calm. Matteo is much better now and our family feels more united than ever.
“This morning, he slept in our bed and he woke up with a smile. You realise those are the greatest victories."
Although Bonucci took a few days off, he never revealed that he felt ready to walk away from the sport.
“Yes, I thought about quitting. Football was just not my priority at that moment. You see your son with so much to live for, he's asking you so many questions and why this is happening to him… and I had no answers.
“Priorities change at those times. Now I tell myself that I am lucky. Everything I have done has been from the heart."
Source: tribalfootball.com