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World Cup 2014: Luis Suarez physio halted cancer treatment to see striker score twice against England

The Liverpool striker made a bee line for Walter Ferreira after last night's Group D victory

Simon Rice
Friday 20 June 2014 13:07 BST
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Luis Suarez with doctor Walter Ferreira after Uruguay's 2-1 win over England
Luis Suarez with doctor Walter Ferreira after Uruguay's 2-1 win over England (GETTY IMAGES)

It has emerged that the man behind Luis Suarez's incredible recovery from injury suspended his own cancer treatment in order to see his patient score twice in Uruguay's World Cup win over England.

Walter Ferreira, who has been working one-on-one with Suarez following the Liverpool striker's knee surgery, put his own treatment on hold in order to travel to Brazil to get him ready for the World Cup.

Last night he was rewarded in the best possible way when just four weeks after Suarez underwent knee surgery he started against England and scored both goals for Uruguay in a 2-1 win.

Suarez immediately went to Ferreira after the match to celebrate, clearly appreciating the sacrifice the physio has made for the benefit of the national team.

Ferreira has been equally impressed with Suarez's work ethic in his bid to return to fitness.

"He deserves it, he worked hard to be here today. I couldn’t go to the (training) resort, so he would come to my house. He gave it all, his wife, his family, I’m truly grateful," said Ferreira.

Luis Suarez listens to Walter Ferreira during his rehab (GETTY IMAGES)

Ferreira's work has not gone unnoticed in Uruguay and today he is being hailed as highly as the striker who all-but ended England's World Cup dream.

On the adulation he is receiving, Ferreira said: "I have no words, life has some ups and downs but you have to keep fighting. I’m very grateful. I’m going to keep fighting.”

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