A winger from the Ivory Coast who is living with a visual disability has made waves at the ongoing FIFA Club World Cup.
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The story
Seattle Sounders winger Georgi Minoungou is defying the odds at the FIFA Club World Cup, competing against elite clubs like Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, and PSG — all while living with a visual impairment.
The 22-year-old's journey took a dramatic turn in the summer of 2023 when he lost vision in his left eye due to a sudden and severe eye infection during a pre-season camp in Marbella, Spain.
As per overseas publications, Sport Bible and 433, despite undergoing surgery that saved the eye itself, his sight could not be restored.
Originally from Batiebly, Minoungou joined Seattle Sounders' reserve side, Tacoma Defiance, on loan from Czech outfit MFK Vyskov in 2022.
He impressed with 14 goal contributions in over 50 appearances, which earned him a long-term contract with the Sounders in August 2023.
Just days after being promoted to the senior team for pre-season, he scored in a friendly against Sweden's Hammarby IF. Tragically for the Batiebly-raised star, he was forced to sit on the sidelines, having developed a serious eye infection.
It worsened quickly and eventually caused him to lose vision in his left eye. Although surgery managed to save the eye itself, his sight was not restored.
Against all odds, with doctors having ruled out a return to the pitch for Minoungou, the motivated baller made a remarkable comeback and is now representing his club on one of football's biggest stages.
It took around six months for the Ivorian right winger to recover from his infection and surgery, and he will see a specialist every six months for check-ups.
After featuring for 11 minutes against Atletico Madrid in Seattle’s 3-1 loss, Minoungou will hope to play a part in his side's final Club World Cup group game against PSG on Monday evening.
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