Ex-Chelsea player has 'days left to live' at the age of 33 in heartbreaking update

Lamisha Musonda spent two years in the Chelsea youth ranks and went on to play for Mechelen, Llagostera, Palamos and Congolese giants Mazembe before retiring in 2020

Former Chelsea youth player Lamisha Musonda has said that he has only days remaining to live, despite being just 33 years old. The Belgian arrived at Stamford Bridge from Anderlecht in 2012, alongside his brothers Tika and Charly.

He spent two years within the Blues' academy system before returning to Belgium to join Mechelen. Musonda's career subsequently took him to lower-tier Spanish clubs Llagostera and Palamos, as well as Congolese giants Mazembe. He also earned nine caps for Belgium's U21 side before hanging up his boots in 2020.

However, at such a young age, he has confirmed he is gravely ill and does not anticipate surviving much longer. In a heartfelt message, posted on social media, he wrote: "As I realise I only have a few days left, I also realise I had a lot of people by my side and I'll always cherish the memories. Life is hard, but the view is great".

Writing in French, he added: "Life is made of highs and lows, and no-one can truly understand the pain you go through. These last two years have been particularly difficult and challenging for me. It is with great sadness that I announce that I am struggling to get my health back.

"This is the reason why I have been absent from social media. I have to face facts – my health is critical, and I'm now fighting to survive. Your aid and prayers will be a great help during this time. My family and I are fighting, and I won't quit until my last breath."

"I was fortunate enough to have a beautiful early life, and I still have so much to offer. But there are so many wonderful people who I would have loved to thank in person – and the fact I maybe won't get the chance saddens me deeply."

Following an outpouring of well wishes after his initial update, Musonda took to social media once more to express gratitude for the support he's received. He expressed his desire to be remembered not for his achievments, but for the positive impact he made on those he encountered.

He penned: "I am in no means the perfect human being. No one is. I want to thank football and school also, for giving me real life lessons. I want to be remembered as someone who didn't fall in love with the adulations. But the good people I met along the way... the teammates, the teachers, the coaches, the bus drivers... It's for them, I fight and stay strong. Let's win each day at a time."

Musonda's younger sibling Charly, 29, has seven senior Chelsea appearances under his belt and also had an eight-game loan spell at Celtic. His other brother Tika has retired from professional football and transitioned into scouting.