#4 Chris Naumoff
Chris Naumoff is not a name many football fans would know. The talented youngster plying his trade in the A-League in Australia was touted to be the next big thing in Australian football. Making appearances for his club Sydney Fc he won the young player of the season award in 2014.
With impressive displays, the youngster earned a trial at the second division Spanish club CD Numancia. But the dream was short-lived. Once he was released by his current club he signed his 3-year contract with the Spanish outfit. Once the paperwork was done he had to attend the mandatory medical test. The tests revealed a rare heart condition and he was diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy – a condition that puts athletes at risk of cardiac arrest.
This was heartbreaking for ‘kiki’ as he is called in Australia as he was forced to retire at the age of 21. But in true sporting fashion, Naumoff hopes to be involved in the game in some capacity.
While Naumoff’s name might not be up there with the famous players playing in the competitive leagues his struggle and tragedy are the same.
