Boëtius confirms recurrence of cancer
Former FSV Mainz 05 and Hertha BSC professional Jean-Paul Boëtius confirmed the unfortunate recurrence of his cancer on his instagram feed Friday night.
Dutch winger Jean-Paul Boëtius - one of a quartet of Bundesliga players diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2022 - was initially much luckier than professional footballing colleagues Sebastien Haller (Dortmund) and Tim Baumgartl (1. FC Union Berlin) in that he did not need to undergo chemotherapy following his diagnosis. Like then Hertha teammate Marco Richter, the once-capped Holland international's tumor was removed early enough to enable him to avoid the procedure.
Boëtius overcame an initially grim prognosis and was even able to return to the pitch for Hertha well ahead of schedule. Unfortunately, the 29-year-old announced via his instagram feed on Friday evening that the cancer had metastasized. Boëtius will have to undergo chemo following this latest set-back. The currently club-less professional (Boëtius nullified his contract with Hertha following last season's relegation) faces a lengthy rehabilitation process and may never play again.
The former Hertha and FSV Mainz 05 professional's cancer, as revealed by the player himself, has spread to his retroperitoneal lymph nodes. Boëtius' Dutch compatriot Sheraldo Becker - who himself just departed German football in January - was the first to offer up support for his friend. Becker published a "You can do it, bro!" message on Boëtius' feed. Boëtius made a total of 150 competitive appearances in five seasons (2018-2023) spent playing in the German top-flight.