DOHA, Qatar — The cancerous cells had crept into Louis van Gaal almost as stealthily as he’d eventually hide them. He was 69 and a few years removed from a fulfilling soccer life when, in late 2020, they were detected. Donning a hospital gown, van Gaal disappeared into CT scanner. He soon sat across from a doctor, who diagnosed him with prostate cancer.
He took the news with unflinching eye contact and blunt questions. He learned that 90% of cases were treatable. But he knew that suffering was ahead. He’d already lost his first wife to cancer. Over the coming year, he’d have to confront pain and fears head on.