Lamisha Musonda: Former Chelsea footballer, 33, issues heartbreaking statement as he has 'days to live' amid battling terminal illness
Ex-Chelsea youngster Lamisha Musonda, 33, has revealed he only has days left to live as he battles a terminal illness.
The Belgian joined the west Londoners from Anderlecht in 2012, as did his brothers Tika and Charly, and spent two years in the Blues' youth sides. He eventually left to return home where he played for Mechelen.
He later had spells with lower-league Spanish sides Llagostera and Palamos, and Congolese giants Mazembe. He also picked up nine caps for Belgium's U21s before retiring in 2020.
However, in a heartbreaking update he has confirmed that he's seriously ill and doesn't expect to be alive much longer. In an emotional update he wrote: “As I realise I only have a few days left, I also realise I had a lot of people by my side and I’ll always cherish the memories. Life is hard, but the view is great”.
He continued in French: “Life is made of highs and lows, and no-one can truly understand the pain you go through. These last two years have been particularly difficult and challenging for me. It is with great sadness that I announce that I am struggling to get my health back.
“This is the reason why I have been absent from social media. I have to face facts – my health is critical, and I’m now fighting to survive. Your aid and prayers will be a great help during this time. My family and I are fighting, and I won’t quit until my last breath.
“I was fortunate enough to have a beautiful early life, and I still have so much to offer. But there are so many wonderful people who I would have loved to thank in person – and the fact I maybe won’t get the chance saddens me deeply.”
His initial update led to a huge number of well wishes, which led him to take to social media once again to thank those who have shown him support. He wrote: "I am in no means the perfect human being. No one is.
“I want to thank football and school also, for giving me real life lessons. I want to be remembered as someone who didn’t fall in love with the adulations. But the good people I met along the way… the teammates, the teachers, the coaches, the bus drivers... It’s for them, I fight and stay strong. Let’s win each day at a time."