Pirmin Schwegler beat cancer as a baby, played with Euro stars and now wants to drive Wanderers forward

He survived cancer as a baby and has played with some of the world’s top stars. Now Swiss recruit Pirmin Schwegler wants to help bring success to the Western Sydney Wanderers.

Western Sydney Wanderers’ Swiss recruit Pirmin Schwegler. Picture: Brett Costello

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For years he has counted football royalty such as Roberto Firmino and Toni Kroos as teammates and friends, but Pirmin Schwegler is reminded every day that he should never have been alive to make those connections.

Western Sydney’s Swiss import is a self-confessed fighter, and the same determination which should stiffen the Wanderers’ resolve this season was evident aged 16 months, when his parents received a diagnosis of Acute Myeloid Leukemia, with a 90 per cent likelihood of him dying.

Some days Schwegler still grapples with the question of why he was able to defy those odds, but he’s more focused on the Childhood Cancer Foundation he established aged 19 to use his own story as an example to children facing the same battle.

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Western Sydney Wanderers’ Swiss recruit Pirmin Schwegler. Picture: Brett Costello

Almost as extraordinary as his own ability to survive the cancer as an infant is the fact he had no idea of what he had gone through growing up, until his parents told him around the age of 15. The shock morphed into a determination before he was 20 that his story could do some good.

“It was very big, and of course a tough time,” he said of his parents’ descriptions of the gruelling treatment. “I had good doctors, my parents were very strong - and fortunately me too.

“But it was a tough time. It was a big cancer, and the doctors said I had about 10 per cent (chance) to survive. The fact I am still here is very lucky which is why I wanted to give back, and the last few years I have done that.

Switzerland's Pirmin Schwegler, right, looks to challenge England striker Wayne Rooney in a 2010 World Cup qualifier. Picture: AP

“It's hard to say directly (if beating cancer drove him to succeed in football) but the truth is I'm a fighter. Of course I know what I have, how lucky I am.

“The important thing for me is to pass this (feeling) onto other parents and children in the same situation. To show that yes, you can have a normal life, a very good life, it's possible to beat this. This can be a very powerful message.”

The foundation offers practical support too, for families getting medical help far from home.

“Maybe this was the hardest part,” he said. “I have a brother and a sister and their lives had to go on.

“Thirty years ago the best clinic was in Berne, far away from where I lived, and it was tough to manage this. This is part of the foundation, to help parents and brothers and sisters to manage.”

Schwegler was teammates with Liverpool star Roberto Firmino at Hoffenheim. Picture: Getty Images

Now the midfielder is a veteran of more than 250 Bundesliga games, a Swiss international who was picked for the 2010 World Cup.

Inspired by playing with Firmino, Kroos and Arturo Vidal in Germany, Schwegler is a fiercely positive individual who knows the depths of determination that the human spirit can find.

“These guys (he played with) are big players,” he said. “But what I can say is that when you look at a player on that higher level, the person is on a higher level too. They are good people, high quality with a strong mentality. They work hard always.

“Now I want to show the guys here. Talent is one part but the most important thing is to have success as a team. For that you need the best team spirit.

“We live in a good period, we have a fantastic life here and in Europe, so why should we be negative? The best way to do something is with positive vibes and power.”

Originally published as Pirmin Schwegler beat cancer as a baby, played with Euro stars and now wants to drive Wanderers forward