Football
Reuters 18y

Soccer-Heart problem could force Ivory Coast's Bakari to retire

PARIS, Oct 28 - Ivory Coast striker Dagui Bakari
says he will probably retire from competitive football because
of a heart problem.

The Nancy player has not played since being diagnosed with
heart hypertrophy in August. Doctors have told him not to start
again until Nov. 22 but Bakari said he might not resume his
career.

"You should never say never but I'm a reasonable person and
I don't want to resume playing," he told Friday's issue of
L'Equipe.

"I think I will stop my career on Nov. 22 or even in the
next few days. I don't want to risk my life".

Heart hypertrophy increases the risk of heart failure during
physical activity.

"My heart is too big", Bakari explained. "Because of the
muscle volume, it can reach twice the size of a normal heart
during exercise."

The 31-year-old was born in Paris and played all his club
football in France. He joined Ligue 1 side Nancy at the start of
this season after spells with Lille and Lens.

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