In 2020, Thijs will develop acute leukemia, but after a successful stem cell transplant, things seem to be moving in the right direction. Yet earlier this month he announced via his Instagram that he is terminally ill. He writes: ‘There is no stopping the rejection disease that has been bothering me for months. After a previous successful stem cell transplant, the after-effects will eventually kill me. The doctors can’t do anything for me anymore.’
In the ESPN special Blood Relatives For Thijs, star footballer Zlatan Ibrahimović is allowed to address his Dutch mate. “It’s the only friend I had in the Netherlands,” says Zlatan. “When I was searching at a young age, I was confused. I didn’t really have anyone in the Netherlands.” Zlatan sees journalists as enemies at that point in his career. Thijs is also a journalist when he approaches Zlatan. “Then we went out for dinner together. From then on we became good friends.”
The two are very close. “We played tennis, met and he often helped me. He gave me all the support I needed. That was the first step in my career. I even wrote about him in my book. I am grateful to him for everything. We are still in touch. From that moment on he was in my heart.”
Then Zlatan turns to Thijs. “Thijs, I just want to say I love you, friend.” That brings tears to Thijs. And Zlatan is also visibly affected. View the images below, or watch fragments of the special here.
