After more than five months in dry dock, John Chetauya stepped back onto the field for the first minutes of action. The footballer had undergone surgery to repair a fibula fracture in mid-July, performed by Drs. Ripoll and De Prado, and he returned to competitive play at the close of Tuesday’s match against Mirandés. His comeback came just moments after teammate Óscar Plano sustained a serious ankle injury. The team in the locker room described the moment as a reminder of their tight-knit, family-like bond. The sentiment echoed immediately after the final whistle, underscoring how the squad supports one another through setbacks and triumphs.
Doctors Ripoll and De Prado successfully treated John’s fibula injury
VL Deltell
Overcome your injury
John Chetauya’s return did not unfold exactly as he had hoped. He admitted the moment carried both bitterness and sweetness: it was difficult to witness Óscar’s misfortune, yet he felt relief that he had overcome the personal and collective challenges of a very serious injury. The injury affected him deeply, affecting his family and the entire squad, who share a strong sense of unity. He confessed that this sense of belonging helped him persevere and regain confidence on the pitch.
Regarding the result, the defender from Franjiverde said, “We would have liked to secure a win, but a draw would have felt better than a loss. We were visibly impressed by our performance.” Looking ahead, he spoke with renewed passion about the future, noting that his return felt like playing his first game all over again, especially in front of the home crowd and at the team’s stadium.
Asked why he is optimistic about 2024, he replied, “Let’s win many more matches and finish the league as high as possible to realize our dream.”