sport news PETE JENSON: Kirian Rodriguez will captain Las Palmas against Barcelona on ... trends now
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Las Palmas want to catch out Barcelona off the back of the international break this Saturday and they will do so with a manager who used to coach Barça; a player Barcelona have shown and interest in signing; and a captain who has made an incredible comeback from serious illness to become one of the players of this season.
A cancer diagnosis made the world stop for Kirian Rodriguez last season but on Saturday he will wear the captain’s armband away at Barcelona as La Liga’s second highest-scoring midfielder.
Only Jude Bellingham with 16 goals has scored more than Kirian whose form ahead of the visit to the Olympic Stadium meant he made the pre-list for the Spain squad ahead of their recent friendlies against Brazil and Colombia.
Las Palmas’ talented winger Alberto Moleiro has praised his skipper’s extraordinary mental strength saying: ‘Last year was hard for all of us and obviously for him more than anyone. But he was actually the one reassuring us. His attitude was amazing and his capacity to overcome what he overcame was inspiring.’
Kirian announced he had Hodgkin's Lymphoma at the start of last season. His treatment ruled him out for the rest of 2022 but once he was given the all-clear to play again he worked to make his way back into the team playing again in April to help the team win promotion.
Kirian Rodriguez will captain Las Palmas against Barcelona just over a year after being diagnosed with cancer
Rodriguez announced shock news he had Hodgkin's Lymphoma at the start of last season
Only Jude Bellingham has scored more goals from midfield in LaLiga than Rodriguez this season
That seemed like the end of the story but this season his six goals from midfield have helped turn Las Palmas into one of the surprise packages who even stunned Barcelona earlier in the season taking the lead against them only for Barça to claw back a 2-1 victory.
‘He’s a top player and it’s incredible what he has achieved,’ added Moleiro.
‘His attitude from the very beginning was great. He is playing so well this season and was chosen in the pre-list for the Spain squad. He deserves it all. We get on really well and I’m so happy to see the good things that are happening to him now.’
Barcelona desperately need the home win on Saturday
