Top Athletes to have battled cancer

Tobi Adesina

1. Stiliyan Petrov: Born 5 July, 1979. The former Bulgaria international and Aston Villa Hall of famer had a glorious spell in Celtic having moved from CSKA Sofia. He won ten trophies with the Scottish giant and later moved to Aston Villa where he was later diagnosed with acute leukaemia in 2012.

2. Lance Armstrong: One of the greatest cyclist to ever graced the track. He completed 1995 Tour dé France but pulled out of 1996 after falling ill. He was later diagnosed of testicular cancer. He has since then donated $5.1m to other cancer warriors via his Foundation, LIVESTRONG.

3. Gary Lineker: The Leicester City legend's son, George got diagnosed with cancer just months after birth in the 90's. He is however now grown and sort after by British models, all Courtesy of Gary's gene.

4.  Yeray Alvarez: The Spanish and Athletic Bilbao defender got diagnosed with testicular cancer late last year (2016). He however came back to playing active football by January 2017 After undergoing 3 months of chemotherapy but the joy was shortlived as the 19 year old was withdrawn from the Spanish U21 team. Doctors say the cancer had return to his body. The event which has led to all Bilbao players shaving their hair to show support.

5.  Jonas Gutierrez: When you need dedication and discipline from a footballer, don't go too far. Gutierrez made fame playing for Newcastle United in England. His approach to derby games were second to none. Sunderland fans were quick to drop the sword after he was diagnosed.

6. Éric Abidal: The great Barcelona defender was diagnosed with liver cancer in March 2011. Abidal will never forget the night when Carles Puyol let him lift the Champions League Cup at Wembley. In 2013, he had a transplant and he returned to the pitch to play once again.

7. Arjen Robben: Fans will never forget the moment he faced Spain's goalkeeper, Iker Casillas, in the World Cup 2010. But, he is proud of the fact that he survived testicular cancer at the young age of 20.

8. Juan Carlos Garcia: The Wigan player got diagnosed with cancer back in 2015 at the young age of 26. The club immediately flew his mum and sister down to Manchester also provided an apartment very close to the hospital.

9. Chris Todd: Born 22 August, 1981. Eastleigh's Chris Todd was diagnosed with cancer back in 2011. He has since returned to playing active football once again.

10.  Carl Ikeme: After the departure of Vincent Enyeama, Nigerian football Faithfulls were happy to see Carl pick up the gloves because of his breath taking saves. Carl was diagnosed with leukaemia early July 2017, weeks after returning from a long spell on the sideline courtesy of an injury. He has since being receiving chemotherapy treatment.