Embiid chose to represent the United States rather than play for France (the country of which he has citizenship) or his home country of Cameroon
Reproduction / Instagram
Published 04/26/2024 15:20
United States – NBA star and main player for the Philadelphia 76ers, Joel Embiid revealed that he has Bell’s palsy. After his team’s victory over the New York Knicks last Thursday (25), 125 to 114, in the Eastern Conference playoffs, when he scored 50 points, the pivot detailed that it all started last week, before the game against Miami Heat.
“I had really bad migraines, but I thought it was nothing. Normally I don’t like to check, but for some reason I ended up needing to talk to someone,” said Embiid, who continued:
“It’s very annoying, you know, with the left side of my face, my mouth and my eye. So, yes, it’s been difficult. But I don’t give up, so I have to keep fighting. But yes, it’s unfortunate. That’s how I I see things. But it’s not an excuse. I have to keep pushing.”
Bell’s palsy causes weakening or paralysis of the muscles on one side of the face. The disturbance was the same one that Falcão, one of the greatest Brazilian athletes, faced in 2012, during the Futsal World Cup.
At the time, the former number 12 went to the game against Argentina, in the quarterfinals of the tournament, with one side of his face paralyzed and ended up being decisive in Brazil’s qualification for the semis, scoring two goals.
