Headline: Former QPR Goalkeeper Paul Nardi Opens Up About Health Struggles and Career Setbacks
Former Queens Park Rangers goalkeeper Paul Nardi, 32, has shared that he feared for his life while dealing with a chronic intestinal illness. Currently playing for AJ Auxerre, Nardi disclosed his diagnosis to L’Équipe, mentioning that he was informed of the condition in 2020, shortly after his promotion to Ligue 1 with FC Lorient. He stated, “I lost 10 kg, and I went through times of severe struggle. There was even an evening when I thought that I was going to die.”
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Despite facing this significant health challenge, Nardi made a comeback to the field in April 2021. He noted, “I was told that the only way to beat it was by playing sport and I was told that it would have no impact on my career, despite the life-saving treatment that I had to follow.”
Nardi says QPR demotion a ‘financial-political’ decision
Nardi also experienced a serious double shin break at the end of 2023, which made him worry that his football career might be finished. He recalled seeing the exposed bone in his leg and thought that “football was over” for him. After a successful surgery, he expressed gratitude towards Hein Vanhaezebrouck, his former manager at Gent, for facilitating his return to the sport, leading to his signing with QPR in the EFL Championship.
“I am very grateful to him,” Nardi remarked to L’Équipe. He also reflected on why he found himself on the sidelines during his second season at QPR, claiming it was due to a “financial-political” decision at the club despite having been their top goalkeeper the previous season. “I found myself in the stands, even though I was their best goalkeeper,” he stated, acknowledging a “great relationship” with the fans of the London-based club.
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Currently, Nardi has played in L’AJA’s last four games in Ligue 1 after starting the season on the bench, with the team achieving one win, one draw, and two losses during this period.
This article is a repost from Get French Football News and can be found HERE
GFN | Luke Entwistle
