Bielsa’s heroes have ended my 16 years of hurt
LEEDS GLORY HAS HELPED ME RECOVER SAYS MATTEO
DOMINIC MATTEO has recovered from a brain tumour, and now Leeds have helped to mend his broken heart.
United’s promotion back to the Premier League after 16 years in exile has finally given Matteo closure on the worst day of his career.
Matteo was Leeds captain when they were relegated in 2004 and admits he never got over that crushing disappointment. He fell for Leeds and the fans loved him back because “he scored a f ***** g great goal, in the San Siro” – as their song from 2000 goes.
Leeds’ return as champions under Marcelo Bielsa has exorcised those demons and Matteo could not be more relieved or delighted. “There’s no one happier than me that Leeds are back because I think of that relegation all the time, there’s no getting away from it for me,” said the 46-year-old.
“I don’t know how other players can put something like that behind them. It’s too important. When you’ve got a love for a club, you can’t just turn it off.
“It felt horrible, I didn’t like it and I wanted to keep Leeds in the Premier League so much.
“I have always felt this pain because I care for the club so much. I get Leeds United, I get
FIGHTING FIT: Matteo on the day his brain scan came back clear clubs I played for. Leeds were one of the great teams of the Sixties and Seventies and Nineties, when they last won the league.
“We had glimpses of it when I played when we got to the Champions League semi-finals. “They deserve to be in the Premier League and I’m just so relieved and happy they are back there.” Matteo, who was at Elland Road between 2000 and 2004, had surgery in
November to remove a brain tumour and says his return to full health has been helped by Leeds.
Their success – and former club Liverpool’s first title in 30 years – have lifted him and he has enjoyed doing punditry work on the return of the glory days for both clubs.
“Liverpool-Leeds will be the dream game for me next season because they are the two clubs closest to my heart and because of what I’ve been through personally,” he said.
“Leeds winning promotion has made it the perfect year for me after Liverpool won the title after 30 years and me getting through what I’m getting through.”