Sébastien Haller conveyed a heartwarming message to his friend Timo Baumgartl on German television on Sunday. The PSV defender, who was loaned out to Union Berlin, recently made his comeback after a long battle with testicular cancer, the same disease that was diagnosed with Haller in July. Baumgartl served as a sounding board for the Frenchman in recent months, and that did not leave him untouched, he said.
Baumgartl made his comeback for Union Berlin in mid-September, after months of recovery. In that context, the 26-year-old stopper was a guest at the program das current sports studio on the German broadcaster. Baumgartl was in for a surprise there, when Haller – with whom he had been in close contact in recent months – appeared on screen.
ain?? for Timo #Baumgartl und dessen Auftritt im #Sports studio starred. Rührend auch die Grußbotschaft von Sébastien #haller an ihn. pic.twitter.com/mB1WY8I1u1
— Sven Hausmann (@svouseman) October 2, 2022
“Hello everyone, and especially Timo,” began the Borussia Dortmund striker. “I just want to tell you that you are a great example to everyone. What you have been through over the past few months is not easy. I just want to thank you for what you have done for me over the past few months, and I wish you all the best for the rest of the season. Now you should enjoy that thing you love most. And congratulations on your first place, but we’re coming for you. Don’t worry,” Haller concluded with a joke, referring to the top spot of the season. Union in the Bundesliga rankings.
A big smile broke on Baumgartl’s face, and a big round of applause erupted in the studio. The defender is in two Bundesliga matches in this year after last weekend. Haller’s return will take a while. The ex-Ajacied’s tumor was found in mid-July, a few weeks after his presentation at Borussia Dortmund. At the end of September, a tumor in the testicle was also found in Jean-Paul Boëtius. Hertha BSC soon brought the good news that the Dutchman does not have to undergo chemotherapy.