A former Chelsea youth player has revealed he only has "a few days left" and is "fighting to survive" after a "difficult and challenging" two-year period.
Lamisha Musonda, 33, joined Chelsea from Anderlecht in 2012 alongside his siblings Tika and Charly, and spent two years in the club's academy youth sides before returning to Belgium to play for Mechelen.
The midfielder, who made nine appearances for Belgium's under-21 side between 2011 and 2013, went on to play for lower-league Spanish sides Llagostera and Palamos, as well as Congolese outfit Mazembe.
He retired from professional football in his late 20s.
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Five years on from retirement and Musonda has released a heartbreaking statement to confirm that he is seriously ill and doesn't expect to live for much longer.
Taking to Instagram, he wrote: “As I realise I only have a few days left, I also realise I had a lot of people by my side and I’ll always cherish the memories. Life is hard, but the view is great."
"Life is made of highs and lows, and no-one can truly understand the pain you go through," he continued.
"These last two years have been particularly difficult and challenging for me. It is with great sadness that I announce that I am struggling to get my health back.
“This is the reason why I have been absent from social media. I have to face facts – my health is critical, and I’m now fighting to survive. Your aid and prayers will be a great help during this time. My family and I are fighting, and I won’t quit until my last breath."
Musonda added: “I was fortunate enough to have a beautiful early life, and I still have so much to offer. But there are so many wonderful people who I would have loved to thank in person – and the fact I maybe won’t get the chance saddens me deeply.”
Many sent well wishes to the 33-year-old following the news, including former Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku, who wrote: "Courage Lamisha. We are with you."
Musonda took to social media again on Thursday and thanked those who sent their support.
"I want to thank God for the prayers, kind messages loaded with positivity and love that I have received from everyone. I want to thank my family included. My brothers and parents love me more than anything," he wrote.
"I am in no means the perfect human being. No one is. I want to thank football and school also, for giving me real life lessons.
"I want to be remembered as someone who didn’t fall in love with the adulations. But the good people I met along the way… the teammates, the teachers, the coaches, the bus drivers... It’s for them, I fight and stay strong. Let’s win each day at a time."
Musonda’s younger brother Charly, 29, made seven senior Chelsea appearances. His other brother Tika is now a scout after retiring.
Topics: Chelsea, Premier League, Belgium
Jack Kenmare