Karel Poborsky: The former Manchester United winger contracted Lyme disease
- 6 years ago
Ex Old Trafford favourite appeared in several charity games for the Red Devils sporting a hipster beard, but was forced to shave his facial hair off when a tick caused him a nasty infection
Karel Poborsky looked like he was loving retirement, even growing a thick trendy beard befitting of those gorgeous curls he wore during his playing days.
But in 2016, the former Manchester United winger's hirsute looks almost became his downfall.
The Euro 96 star had to be hospitalised after reportedly contracting Lyme disease.
Worst still, how he caught the debilitating disease was equally as unpleasant.
It was alleged by Expres that a tick lived in the ex Red Devil legend's facial hair and when it was snapped, the nasty parasite bit and infected him. https://www.expres.cz/karel-poborsky-ochrnul-na-pul-obliceje-dyg-/celebrity.aspx?c=A160721_105614_dx-celebrity_ren
Poborsky, now 46, immediately required medical attention and was kept in hospital and given antibiotics to fight the infection.
It momentarily left the Czech midfielder with a paralysed left cheek as he began his rehabilitation, the tabloid claimed.
Quick to reassure his concerned fans, Poborsky took to Facebook to share a photo that he was out of the worst.
The pic also showed that his decorative beard had to make way for a more clean-cut look.
But after his ordeal, we're sure he didn't mind that.
Poborsky isn't the only sports star to catch Lyme disease.
Former England captain Matt Dawson had to undergo heart surgery after being bitten by a tick while taking a stroll in Britain.
And high-profile Hollywood stars including Ben Stiller and Richard Gere have been struck down with the devastating condition over the years.
Lyme disease itself is a bacterial infection that is spread to humans by infected ticks.
The most common sign of infection is a circular red skin rash around the initial tick bite.
But not everyone gets the rash, with other side effects including high temperature, headaches, muscle and joint pain, as well as tiredness.
Doctors usually prescribe a months-worth of antibiotics to fight the disease, but some sufferers can go years of suffering from Lyme disease symptoms.
Despite Poborsky's horror story, it didn't stop him from regrowing his beard and continuing showcase his skills.
In recent years, he's been spotted playing several charity games, including for Man United legends in 2017.
However, he'll always be remembered for starring for the Czech Republic in the 1996 European Championships in England.
His infamous lob goal in the quarter finals against Portugal was one of the best of that tournament.
It encouraged Sir Alex Ferguson to splash £3.6m on Poborsky, who despite playing second fiddle to David Beckham, managed to become a fan favourite from 1996-98.
Poborsky is not the first sports star to be hit by Lyme disease.
Former England rugby star Matt Dawson contracted the disease after he was bitten by a tick. https://www.dailymotion.com/playlist/x51pc4
Karel Poborsky looked like he was loving retirement, even growing a thick trendy beard befitting of those gorgeous curls he wore during his playing days.
But in 2016, the former Manchester United winger's hirsute looks almost became his downfall.
The Euro 96 star had to be hospitalised after reportedly contracting Lyme disease.
Worst still, how he caught the debilitating disease was equally as unpleasant.
It was alleged by Expres that a tick lived in the ex Red Devil legend's facial hair and when it was snapped, the nasty parasite bit and infected him. https://www.expres.cz/karel-poborsky-ochrnul-na-pul-obliceje-dyg-/celebrity.aspx?c=A160721_105614_dx-celebrity_ren
Poborsky, now 46, immediately required medical attention and was kept in hospital and given antibiotics to fight the infection.
It momentarily left the Czech midfielder with a paralysed left cheek as he began his rehabilitation, the tabloid claimed.
Quick to reassure his concerned fans, Poborsky took to Facebook to share a photo that he was out of the worst.
The pic also showed that his decorative beard had to make way for a more clean-cut look.
But after his ordeal, we're sure he didn't mind that.
Poborsky isn't the only sports star to catch Lyme disease.
Former England captain Matt Dawson had to undergo heart surgery after being bitten by a tick while taking a stroll in Britain.
And high-profile Hollywood stars including Ben Stiller and Richard Gere have been struck down with the devastating condition over the years.
Lyme disease itself is a bacterial infection that is spread to humans by infected ticks.
The most common sign of infection is a circular red skin rash around the initial tick bite.
But not everyone gets the rash, with other side effects including high temperature, headaches, muscle and joint pain, as well as tiredness.
Doctors usually prescribe a months-worth of antibiotics to fight the disease, but some sufferers can go years of suffering from Lyme disease symptoms.
Despite Poborsky's horror story, it didn't stop him from regrowing his beard and continuing showcase his skills.
In recent years, he's been spotted playing several charity games, including for Man United legends in 2017.
However, he'll always be remembered for starring for the Czech Republic in the 1996 European Championships in England.
His infamous lob goal in the quarter finals against Portugal was one of the best of that tournament.
It encouraged Sir Alex Ferguson to splash £3.6m on Poborsky, who despite playing second fiddle to David Beckham, managed to become a fan favourite from 1996-98.
Poborsky is not the first sports star to be hit by Lyme disease.
Former England rugby star Matt Dawson contracted the disease after he was bitten by a tick. https://www.dailymotion.com/playlist/x51pc4