Leipzig defender Willi Orban could miss his side’s next Bundesliga match as he will become a stem cell donor ahead of the game.
Fourth-placed Leipzig take on second-placed Union Berlin on Saturday in a huge game for the title race but may have to be without captain Orban, who has played every minute for them in the league this season.
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Orban has been one of Germany’s best players this season
The 30-year-old Hungarian international told BILD he had been on the German donor registry since 2017 and received injections before collection.
Orban, who was born in Germany to a Hungarian mother and a Polish father, started the process after a 0-0 draw with Cologne at the weekend, and will now undergo the collection process on Wednesday in Dresden.
Speaking ahead of the donation, he said: “Of course I was surprised at first when I found out I was a possible donor, but at no point did I have any doubts.
“I wanted to approach the donation directly. It’s the opportunity to save a human life with very little effort, there are no two opinions for me.
“I really hope that my donation can help to fully heal the recipient.”
Stem cell transplantation is used to treat blood and bone marrow cancers and can save the lives of patients who have no other choice.
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Orban’s decision could save a life
Due to the nature of the blood drive, Orban halted team training on Sunday and is expected to return Wednesday evening or Thursday morning.
It could impact his chances of playing against Union Berlin but it’s insignificant for the star centre-back.
“Of course, it’s possible that I miss the game against Union – despite all my sporting ambitions, that’s secondary in this case,” he said.
“And anyone who knows me knows that I will do whatever it takes to get back into the team as soon as possible.”
Adding to the collection, he said: “I wish a lot more people would sign up. It’s really very simple.
“I feel very well surrounded. My example shows that a record makes perfect sense.
