COLOMBIA star Linda Caicedo has overcome cancer to score at her third World Cup in just one year.
The 18-year-old was on target for her country in Tuesday’s 2-0 win over South Korea.
GettyCancer survivor Linda Caicedo has scored at her third World Cup in a year[/caption]
GettyThe Real Madrid netted for Colombia in a 2-0 win over South Korea[/caption]
Caicedo is one of the tournament’s top stars, plying her trade for Real Madrid.
But it wasn’t her first time scoring at a World Cup, having netted for Colombia at the U17 and U20 tournaments in the past 12 months.
Those goals aren’t Caicedo’s biggest victory though.
That’s because she overcame ovarian cancer, having been diagnosed at just 15 years old.
Caicedo’s career was almost completely derailed as a result.
And she had to undergo several treatments and surgeries before receiving the all-clear.
Caicedo told FIFA: “At the time, I didn’t think I could play professionally again because of all the treatments and surgeries I had to go through.
“Mentally, it was a very difficult moment in my life. I’m forever grateful that it happened when I was very young.
“I was able to recover, I also had my family’s support and I feel very good now.
“What happened made me grow. I feel thankful and happy to be here.”
Since winning her fight against cancer, Caicedo’s career has gone from strength to strength.
She’s twice been a Colombian Women’s League champion, leading America de Cali and Deportivo Cali to success.
Caicedo has also finished as a runner-up on three occasions with Colombia, including at the U17 World Cup and Copa America.
And having claimed the Golden Ball at the latter, she is now hoping to use her inspirational story to drive Colombia to success Down Under.
Speaking to Goal last year, Caicedo added: “I still have a long way to go. I don’t have a historical record, so I want to improve in that.
“I am very young and I have a lot of tournaments ahead of me, so that is what I am doing.
“I am believing and I hope people will know me for that, for my joy, for the way I lived soccer, and that is how I always want to be known everywhere.”
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