Football nearly cost him his life, but brave Petr Cech battled hard and made a name for himself in between the sticks. His acclaimed professional career that started with the Czech First League 20 years ago is set to come to an end in Arsenal colours at the Europa League final in Baku.
It was in October 2006 that a collision with the then Reading midfielder Stephen Hunt left Cech dealing with a fracture to his skill. It was a life-threating injury that forced him to step away from football for a bit.
But he came back to reclaim his throne as the first-choice goalkeeper for Chelsea and from then on, he wore a headgear to work which has become a symbol of his never-give-up attitude.