Sometimes the most important game is not played in front of thousands of fans.

Only 23 years old, Bosnian footballer Robert Perić-Komšić was faced with a choice that could have changed his future forever. On the one hand there was a career, built with sacrifices and ambitions. On the other hand there was the life of his mother, Ljiljana Perić-Komšić, who for about thirteen years fought against a serious liver disease.

His condition had worsened until he became critical. The accumulation of fluids in the abdomen was the signal that time was going to run out and the only possibility was a transplant. As there were no other compatible family members, Robert had no doubts: he decided to donate part of his liver, although he knew that the intervention could end his career as a footballer.

The operation was carried out in Turkey and was followed by a long recovery period. For months he stayed away from the field, without any certainty of being able to return to play professionally.

His motivation, however, has never changed. He explained that his mother had given him life and that it was time to return at least one part of what he had received.

The surgery was successful and, after months of rehabilitation, Robert managed to get back to play. His story has made the world round not only for the sporting value of his return, but especially for the courage to put his dream in the background to save the person who had always been next to him.

In a time when victories are often measured with trophies and classifications, its history recalls that there are much greater successes: those who conquer themselves with love, responsibility and sacrifice, far from the spotlights of the stadiums.

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