Incredible story of star who went from fighting for life to captaining team to first Champions League win in 21 years
FILIP PANAK captained Sparta Prague to their first Champions League victory in 21 years last night after battling back from a life-threatening illness.
The defender, 28, has suffered with several injuries since joining Sparta in 2019.
In this period he has missed more than 800 days of football due to persistent knee issues.
And in addition to battling to resume his career, Panak even found himself fighting for his life following one operation.
As per Czech outlet TN, he said of that period: “In the first stage after the first operation I had inflammation in my knee and my kidneys failed.
“I spent two weeks in the ARU and another two weeks in orthopaedics cleaning it up after the operation.
“At that point it wasn’t about football or sports, it was about for my life.
“I went on dialysis, my liver was also dying. At that moment, it was about how to save my life.”
With the help of his friends and family, as well as doctors, Panak was able to recover from the lowest situation of his career.
He also had words of encouragement from a former Arsenal star.
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Tomas Rosicky knows all about injury setbacks, having suffered with several during his decade at the Emirates.
As sporting director at Sparta, Rosicky was able to support Panak.
“He told me not to succumb to it, to try to think positively,” Panak said of those conversations with Rosicky.
“I told him that every time I come home, I’m in a bad mood, that my life outside of football depends greatly on my knee pain.
“And he confirmed that he knows exactly what I’m talking about, that he’s experienced it too.”
Having largely put the worst of those injury issues behind him, Panak has been able to play for much of the last two years.
And following Ladislav Krejci’s departure for Girona in the summer, he was even appointed Sparta’s club captain.
Last night, he proudly led his side out as they took on Salzburg in the Czech capital.
And it was to be a special night, with goals by Kaan Kairinen, Victor Olatunji and Qazim Laci securing Sparta’s first Champions League victory, discounting qualifying rounds, since 2003.
For his solid performance, Panak even earned the man of the match award.
Last night’s game also marked the first time Sparta have ever begun their Champions League campaign with a win.
Having broken their duck, the Czech side will hope to make more history in this year’s competition.
Next time out they will travel to Germany to face Stuttgart.
Then on matchday three, Panak is set to lead his side out against 2023 European champions Manchester City.