Doku: I didn't play well in this World Cup. I coughed up blood before the match against Egypt.

On Sunday local time, Belgian and Manchester City winger Doku released a personal documentary, reflecting on his unique World Cup experience.

Doku's World Cup journey was fraught with setbacks, including a respiratory infection, the birth of his first child, and controversy sparked by French L'Équipe journalist Pieron.

Falling ill early in the tournament and subsequently returning to England to be with his wife during the birth of their first child, Doku endured a difficult World Cup. When L'Équipe reporter Pieron questioned his decision to leave the team to support his wife's pregnancy, the Belgian player became the focus of public attention.

Talk about World Cup performance

Doku said, "I originally wanted to shine in the World Cup, but the result was disappointing. Reporters said I was the best, and although I denied it verbally, I unconsciously felt proud. Later I realized that my goal was not to be in the limelight, but to stay true to my beliefs and play my role well. Even if my performance on the field is not the best, as long as I have a clear conscience, no one can take away that peace. I didn't play well in this World Cup, but I only asked to do my best and leave the rest to God."

He encountered health problems before the World Cup.

Doku said, “I got sick and started coughing every few seconds, it was really exaggerated, I coughed every time I said a complete sentence. Then suddenly, I felt a pain in my chest that I had never experienced before. I couldn’t move or breathe. The doctor gave me medication, which relieved the pain a little, but the situation was still very difficult.”

Nevertheless, Doku traveled with his teammates to the Belgian national team's training camp in Seattle and participated in the World Cup. However, he was plagued by illness throughout the group stage.

Doku said, "The week before the match against Egypt, I couldn't train properly at all. I would get tired very quickly, and I was still coughing constantly, even coughing up blood. After that match, I felt unbearable pain, and I even wanted to cry. At 1 a.m., I went to the emergency room. I underwent all the tests, and they found that there was fluid in my lungs."

Due to the severity of his illness, he was ultimately unable to participate in the second match against Iran. On the morning his absence was confirmed, he learned that his wife was about to give birth.

Doku said, "The team manager told me, 'Your wife's water broke.' The original due date was July 11. We never know when the baby will be born, but this timing is perfect. They asked me what I wanted to do. I said that I wouldn't be able to play anyway, and I wanted to witness the birth of my son. They didn't hesitate at all, and I want to thank them."

I rushed back to London to be there for my son's birth.

Doku arrived in London two hours before his son was born. He recalled with a smile: “I witnessed the whole thing. I was still sick and feeling unwell, and the long flight didn’t help. But I was just so happy to be there, to see it all, and to hold my son Praise. I slept there for one night and then left, which was really difficult.”

In response to the controversy with L'Équipe reporter Pierón, he said, "I don't want to attack her."

Doku said, "I see a lot of people talking about this, and I see a lot of people criticizing her. I don't know where she is on her faith path with God, but I don't want to attack her like most people do. I don't want people to be too harsh on her because I don't know what she's been through in her life."

“She was fired (actually just temporarily leaving the show, she will return to work in the new season - editor’s note), but I absolutely did not want this to happen. I have no problem with her, she was just expressing her opinion.”