‘Always try to be strong’ – Tottenham ace Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg reveals how he cared for dad with cancer aged just 17
TOTTENHAM midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg has opened up about taking care of his dad following his father’s cancer diagnosis.
The Spurs star, 27, was just a teenager when he found out his dad, Christian, had cancer.
And his father subsequently moved to Germany to be with his son during his chemotherapy.
As a result, Hojbjerg, 17 years of age at the time, became a carer for his dad while also trying to progress as a young player at Bayern Munich.
Speaking to BBC Sport about having to care for his father before he passed away in 2014, the Tottenham man said: “My father would always take care of me, then suddenly I had to take care of him.
“I was cooking for him, I was putting him in bed, making sure that he got his medication and all of these things. These things scar you a bit.
READ MORE ON TOTTENHAM
“It didn’t go as we hoped, he passed away in April [2014]. I finished the season, I played the cup final, I got my national team debut. From a sports perspective the season really finished on a high, but from a life perspective it really finished on a low.
“I had difficulty to motivate myself. It’s the first time actually that I have spoken about it like this.”
Hojbjerg, who has made 117 appearances for Spurs, insists he still thinks about his dad a lot – more than eight years on from his passing.
And he also acknowledges he found comfort in the birth of his daughter.
Most read in Football
“I had difficulty for a couple of years [after his father’s death],” he added.
“I just didn’t find the real purpose until I had my daughter. I remember saying to my mother when I had my daughter that finally life gave me something back. My kids are everything. I will do everything for them.
“My father is with me a lot – in everything I do – and he gives me inspiration like my family do, like my kids do, so they are with me.
“I truly believe that a lot – not just in football, but in life – of what you are giving to the people around you, the sacrifices you make, you will get it back.
“Sometimes, I also say to myself that I didn’t make it in Bayern, but on the other hand I wouldn’t be who I am without the three years I had there. I always call it the school of champions.”
Hojbjerg left Bayern for Southampton in 2016 after playing 25 games for the German giants.
He then signed for Tottenham in 2020.
Read More on The Sun
The Dane has become an integral part of the Lilywhites midfield, starting 11 of their 13 Premier League games so far this season.
Next up for Antonio Conte‘s men is a trip to take on Bournemouth on Saturday.
