John Toshack Rejects Son's Dementia Diagnosis Claims
Liverpool and Wales football icon John Toshack has firmly dismissed suggestions that he has dementia, following claims made by his son. The 77-year-old former player and manager laughed off the allegations, stating, "Dementia? Not yet!" in a recent interview with Spanish daily El Mundo.
Family Reactions and Covid After-Effects
Toshack's wife, Mai Angulo, expressed astonishment at the revelations from their son, Cameron Toshack, who is based in Thailand. She noted that Cameron has not seen his father in two years and only communicates occasionally by phone. Mai admitted that Covid-19 has left John with severe physical and mental after-effects, explaining, "It is true that Covid left him with very severe after-effects, both physical and mental. Everyone has been able to notice this."
She recounted the difficult period when John was sedated in intensive care, saying, "He always says that he was out of this world for more than ten days and that when, thank God, he came back, he didn't understand anything." Despite these challenges, Mai emphasized John's current calm and happy state, celebrating his 77th birthday recently.
Son's Perspective and Managerial Legacy
Cameron Toshack, in an interview with the Daily Mail, described his father's condition as a "terrible disease," noting short-term memory issues but praising John's detailed recall of his football career with Liverpool, Real Madrid, and Real Sociedad. Meanwhile, John, in a relaxed setting at his home in Besalu, Catalonia, joked about his memory, saying, "I've forgotten all the goals I missed but I remember perfectly the ones I scored."
El Mundo journalist Luis Nunez-Villaveiran, who visited Toshack, reported that the football legend maintains his characteristic spark, teasing his wife during lunch and sharing humorous anecdotes from his managerial days. John recited a famous team selection quote from his time at Real Madrid, showcasing his wit and engagement.
Wife's Devotion and Fan Message
Mai, married to John for 33 years, sent a heartfelt message to his fans, stating, "In his name, I want to send a hug to everyone. The only thing I can say is that I am devoted to John so that he can have the best possible life. He is the love of my life, and I will never leave him." She highlighted their resilience through health struggles, affirming their commitment to staying together in their home.
This story underscores the personal battles faced by sports legends post-retirement, with Toshack's case highlighting the lingering impacts of Covid-19 on mental health, amid family disputes over medical conditions.
