Striker Traoré joins countrymen in choosing Doha-based treatment ahead of FIFA World Cup Brazil’14. Doha, 06 April 2014: Ivorian striker Lacina Traoré is currently receiving treatment at Aspetar for a thigh injury sustained whilst playing for Everton Football Club. Traoré, who joined the English Premier League team on loan from Monaco, is under close supervision by Aspetar experts in order to make a full recovery before the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. Although given the option of various European hospitals, the striker chose Aspetar for his treatment.

“I came to Aspetar due to my personal convictions and the wonderful global reputation the hospital has gained,” said Traoré. “I had been suffering with my injury for a month but once my treatment at Aspetar began, I started to feel much better and have even regained my confidence”.

He added, “Aspetar has amazing capabilities - I was not aware of it before. Aspetar is the best sports hospital, and there is really no comparison with the rest. It has an experienced and professional medical staff, in addition to state-of-the-art equipment. I am truly amazed.” The striker is adamant that he will make a return to the pitch with Everton in the coming weeks in addition to securing a place on the Ivorian National Team, which is set to play at the World Cup this summer – a dream since he began playing for Abobo Football Club in his home country. Under an agreement signed earlier this year, Aspetar continues to provide the Ivory Coast National Team with top medical care. Traoré is the third Ivorian player this year to choose Aspetar for treatment. Players who have previously received treatment at the Doha-based sports medical hospital include Trabzonspor defender Souleymane ‘Sol’ Bamba and Fortuna Düsseldorf midfielder Mathis Bolly. Mathis Bolly expressed his deep satisfaction for the treatment he received at Aspetar in March, emphasising the immense capabilities the hospital has.

“I spent three pleasant weeks at Aspetar, after feeling very low due to my injury,” said Mathis. “I went to Aspetar as per the request of the Ivorian Football Association, and I was greatly surprised. I have returned to training and I feel no pain now. I am happy to have chosen Aspetar”.

Mathis Bolly is a 23-year old Ivorian who plays as an offensive midfielder or winger. He is considered as one of the fastest players in the world, according to FIFA records, while his colleague Lacina Traore is considered the tallest at 2.03 metres. According to the agreement signed between the Ivorian Football Federation and Aspetar, the hospital will provide a first-rate medical team to the Ivorian National Team at the World Cup. The expert line-up includes Dr Cristiano Eirale, an Aspetar Sports Medicine Physician and former doctor for Inter Milan, and Aspetar Head Physiotherapist for the Qatar Football National Team Pascal Roche, who previously worked for Paris Saint-Germain. Aspetar has also been providing the Algerian Football National Selection with medical care since 2010. Dr Hakim Chalabi, Acting Chief Medical Officer and Executive Director of the National Sports Medicine Program, will personally supervise the medical teams attached to Algeria and Ivory Coast prior to and during the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.