Juan Carlos Unzué rules out a tracheotomy: "I'm prepared for whatever comes."

BarcelonaJuan Carlos Unzué announced at the beginning of the month which brought his career as a commentator to a close in front of DAZN's microphones. Following this news, the former Girona manager has explained to various media outlets that he has recently seen the effects of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), which he has suffered from for the past five years, worsen. Specifically, Unzué is experiencing increasing difficulty breathing, one of the common symptoms of the disease's progression.

"The effort I have to make to speak continuously is much greater," he commented on Radio 4. This is a common consequence of ALS, a rapidly progressing neurodegenerative disease that affects around 4,000 people in Spain. Anticipating these effects, in the former soccer player's last will and testament, which he left in writing in 2022, he "fully agreed" to undergo a tracheotomy—an incision in the windpipe that should help him breathe when things worsen. But since then, his perspective has changed.

"I feel like I won't have enough quality of life to be happy, to enjoy it, and I prefer to leave a little earlier, but with the feeling that my life has been full until the very last day," he stated this week. For this reason, he explained that he has rewritten his last will and testament and has decided, again "fully convinced," not to undergo a tracheotomy, despite the fact that the procedure could improve his breathing.

"Mentally, I'm fine. I still feel strong and calm. I can honestly tell you that I'm ready for whatever comes," he said candidly on the show. Unrepeatable. In addition, Unzué also reflected on the progress and visibility that this disease has had in recent years, such as the entry into force of the ALS law in November, which has allowed ALS patients to receive various aids to cope with the disease.

Despite the legislative progress, Unzué was critical of the political class. The former athlete recalled that when he went to the Congress of Deputies last year, only five deputies showed up to hear his complaints as a representative of ALS patients. "I felt disappointed. But curiously, I think the non-attendance of the politicians helped pass the law," he explained proudly.

The subsidies provided for in the law, which have not yet reached patients at this time, are intended for those who are at a critical point in the disease: "It's the moment when you must decide whether to have a tracheotomy or not," he said about his current situation. "I was able to put my image forward, but without the work of all of them this would have been impossible," explained the former player, who for years has been one of the leading icons of this disease due to his involvement in various organizations fighting to combat the disease.