True winner! Warrior Souleymane Bamba beats cancer

Every now and again, you get a reminder that football, even though it can often feel bigger than life – isn't. Cardiff City's Ivorian defender Souleymane Bamba was given sobering news just before last Christmas. He was diagnosed with a severe illness, Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a type of cancer that develops in the lymphatic system. Less than five months later – Bamba stepped onto the pitch again to complete a magnificent comeback.

Emotional Bamba steps back onto the football pitch (©Gallo Images)

Bamba underwent the last of his six gruelling chemotherapy sessions in mid-April and was given the all-clear last week following a PET scan. The doctors are very confident all along, but the 36-year-old wasn't taking anything for granted. Thankfully, the treatment went well and allowed the French-born fan favourite to return to football – and return to his life.

Speaking to WalesOnline, Sol has admitted that undergoing chemotherapy wasn't a walk in the park. It took a lot of adjusting and soul searching to accept that his health was under threat. He was brave enough to admit it and wise enough to seek help.

"I've had a couple of down days - I'm not going to lie. I'm a human being, like everyone. When that happened, I stayed away on my own. I didn't want my family, friends, or anyone at the club to see me like that. I didn't like it. Mentally, it's tough. I like to think I am strong mentally, but sometimes you're on your own and need support. The club was there, and my family was there. You have days where you doubt yourself. I've been healthy all my life, playing football, then all of a sudden you feel vulnerable and weak."

Even the rival club's players offered support during his battle with illness (©Gallo Images)

The Ivorian was always considered one of the strongest players in the game. He started his career at Paris Saint-Germain before embarking on a footballing odyssey taking him to Scotland, Turkey, Italy and England, where he played for Leicester City and Leeds United. However, his longest stay at a club was at Cardiff City, the club he's been at for five years now. It's the staff of the Welsh club that's gone an extra mile to help their beloved player and aid his wife and children over a stressful period.

"The kids are great. They're old enough to understand. My stepson is 17, my oldest daughter is 14, and my youngest is nine. They understand, and they are dealing with it very well. When you're sick, there is a possibility you can die. I didn't want to hide that from them. If things were going wrong, I didn't want them to feel like I didn't tell them the truth."

Bamba playing for Ivory Coast in 2010 (©Gallo Images)

Sol has been through a challenging four-month period, but he has come out of it alive – and that isn't something every Non-Hodgkin lymphoma can boast. Sometimes, surviving is the biggest prize, more valuable than any goal, football match or trophy.

France-born Bamba had played 46 times for the Ivory Coast, including World Cup appearances and was part of their African Cup of Nations squad when they were runners-up in 2012. But coming on for Cardiff's last game of the season must have felt like the most significant match the big defender has ever appeared in. It was a milestone, a statement, a mark of a triumph over cancer.

Welcome back, Souleymane! We're happy to see you again!