Interview with Soccer's Assassination Survivor Salvador Cabanas

Salvador Cabanas was interviewed by the Mexican Television conglomerate Televisa, one of the owners of the soccer club Club America of which Salvador Cabanas is a player. Salvador Cabanas was also one of the principal players for the Paraguayan National Football [Soccer] Team.

During the interview, he remained optimistic about the possibilities of returning to play football [soccer] for Club America and for the Paraguayan National Football/Soccer Time.

Mr. Cabanas also encouraged the youth and future generations to study but also to play football/soccer. He also talked about the need to promote football/soccer as a vehicle for "peace in the world".

He expressed his desire to continue his rehabilitation in Argentina in order to be close to his family. Club America will probably have a final say in that matter since they are paying for his treatment. 

The Story of Salvador Cabanas

Mr. Cabanas was practicing for the Club America [for the Mexican League Games] and for Paraguay [in preparation for the 2010 World Cup when he was shot in the head on January 25, 2010. It was on that day that he went to the "Bar Bar" which is one of the bars mostly frequented by the rich and famous in Mexico City.

He went to the rest room and was followed by two men. One of the suspects was named "JJ" or Jose Jorge Balderas. Mr. Balderas is also known as "El Modelo" or The Model.  While inside the rest room, the two men made comments about Cabanas playing style and he responded to their insults.

The two men then pulled their guns and shot Cabanas in the frontal area of the head. The bullet lodged in the Occipital Lobe. The two men were assisted by employees of the "Bar Bar" in their attempt to escape. At the present time, they were still being sought after.

Before the two men followed Mr. Cabanas to the rest room, one of them was talking to a lady who was supposedly a national of Cuba. While this may have lead to comments about Cabanas having another woman and that the fight was over her, Cabanas was accompanied by his wife during the visit to the "Bar Bar".

Salvador Cabanas was rushed to a hospital in Mexico City where he was evaluated and treated by Dr. Ernesto Martinez. Dr. Ernesto Martinez decided to leave the bullet within the Occipital Lobe in order to avoid further complications. It was expected that he would not survive or suffer from epilepsy or remain in a vegetative state.

He defied the odds when he recovered his speech and was able to recognize family, friends, and other visitors. Club America played a game in his honour. He was also received by the President of Paraguay and the Paraguayan National Football [Soccer] Team.

The Wheels Of Justice

The would be assasins were sought after and an investigation was launched by the Mexico City Attorney General Miguel Angel Mancera who ruled out any links with the drug cartels. Regardless, the authorities said that Cabanas was "not apt" to offer testimony against his would be assasins.

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