Yesterday, we brought you five inspirational stories about footballers. Today, we bring you another five.
Portsmouth Fans
After years of financial issues, going into administration and relegations, Portsmouth finally exited administration thanks to the Pompey Supporters Trust. The trust managed to negotiate a deal to buy the club and have even raised up to £2 million pounds to keep the club they love alive. Having recently announced they are now debt-free the trust is hoping to push the club back to where they feel they belong, in the top tier of English football.
Jaba Kankava
FC Dnipro player Kankava saved the life of his opponent, Dynamo Kiev's, Oleh Gusev, after he was knocked unconscious. He was choking on his tongue after the collision and Kankava quickly ran over, rolled him onto his back and prevented him from suffocating until the medical team could arrive.
Lionel Messi
The diminutive Argentine was diagnosed with growth hormone deficiency as a young child and his family were unable to pay for the medical bills in Argentina. Barcelona Sporting director, Carles Rexach recognised Messi's talent and brought him to Barcelona from Newell's offering to pay the 13-year-old's medical bills, which came to around £100 000 per year. He has since gone on to return the investment by becoming a four-time Ballon D'Or winner.
Victor Moses
Moses' parents were both killed during riots in his native Nigeria when he was just 11 years old. Just a week later his relatives paid for him to travel to the United Kingdom and he arrived as an asylum seeker. Shortly after arriving in Britain, he joined a local school where he was spotted by scouts of Crystal Palace and has since gone on to establish himself as Premier League footballer.
Charlie Austin
QPR striker Austin started out as a bricklayer in his early days and played at a non-league level. Eight years ago Austin was playing for Kintbury Rangers and Hungerford Town whilst living out in Berkshire. Now he plays for QPR where he helped them gain promotion to the Premier League and now regularly starts.
It's quite amazing what these footballers have achieved in the face of adversity, don't you think?
Which story do you find to be the most inspirational?
