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German team defender Marcus van Hoogdalem may have to end his football career. The 32-year-old Dutchman has been diagnosed with a chronic liver disease.
Van Hoogdalem suffers from a condition called PSC disease, which blocks the bile ducts in the liver. There is a possibility that treatment for this disease may require a transplant. The disease was discovered in July while the footballer was undergoing a lactose test. Doctors in Germany advised the player to stop playing football.
Meanwhile, a specialist in Rotterdam gave the player a completely different opinion. "He believes that I can play despite having PSC," the player says.
Van Hoogdalemas last represented the "Schalke" team in May of last year, and was then loaned to his former team "Roda JC". In the summer, the player intended to extend his contract with "Schalke" until 2006, but could not do so due to a long-standing thigh injury.
The player, who has represented Germany since 1997, is the longest-serving footballer at "Schalke". Van Hoogdalem himself says he has not lost hope of playing: "I would be happy to sign a document stating that I am responsible for my own health," the Dutchman says.
