Football: Wolfsburg defender Felipe reveals mini stroke
The attack left Felipe with a weakness on his left side, which has since been cured.
BERLIN (AFP) - VfL Wolfsburg s Brazilian defender Felipe says he is determined to return to top-flight football despite revealing in a report on Tuesday that he has suffered from a minor stroke.
The 27-year-old says only the quick reactions of Wolfsburg s physiotherapist Michele Putaro saved his life after suffering a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA), often refered to as a mini-stroke, while at home in July as he watched a World Cup match.
"I felt dizzy and knew something wasn t right," he told Bild.
Felipe contacted Putaro who drove straight to the defenders home and raised the alarm before the Brazilian was rushed to a specialist clinic.
"You can perhaps say that Michele saved my life," said the centre-back who has played in the Bundesliga for both Wolfsburg and Stuttgart after spending five years at Portugal s Nacional.
"I didn t have a clue in that moment what was the matter with me.
"It was only a few days later that we knew what had happened."
The attack, caused by a lack of blood flow in a part of his brain, left Felipe with a weakness on his left side, which has since been cured, but he still has a problem with his left eye.
The blood-thinning tablets he currently needs to take means top-level sport is out of the question for the immediate future.
"Of course, it s not good that I have to take a long break from football, but the most important thing is to be healthy," he said.
"I am certain that I will return to professional football," he said.
"There is no reason for me not to believe in my comeback on the pitch."
Wolfsburg s director of sport Klaus Allofs said the club want to help the Brazilian resume his career with Felipe s contract set to expire next June.
"If Felipe can train again and when we see how his career goes, then we d extend his contract by a year," said Allofs.
