USMNT legend says of health scare, 'If I get one of you to go to the doctor and get a checkup, this was all worth it'
Meola has health scare on the eve of his 56th birthdayEx-teammates and fans send well-wishes for a speedy recoveryUSMNT icon uses experience to encourage others to prioritize health checksGetty Images SportWHAT HAPPENED
Tony Meola, former goalkeeper for the U.S. men's national team, had a heart attack on Thursday night, on the eve of his 56th birthday. The soccer community quickly rallied around the American soccer legend, with tributes and well-wishes pouring in from former teammates, fans, and soccer organizations.
Meola underwent an unspecified procedure after the heart attack. He told Front Row Soccer that he ran four miles last Saturday and had the heart attack five days later.
The former goalkeeper used this experience to advocate for regular health check-ups.
“If I get one of you to go to the doctor and get a checkup, this was all worth it for me,” Meola said, according to Front Row Soccer. “I’m going to be fine in a week, but I should have been smarter.”
AdvertisementTHE MESSAGES OF SUPPORTTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Meola, a legendary USMNT goalkeeper, earned 100 caps between 1988 and 2006. He represented the U.S. in three World Cups (1990, 1994, 2002) and was known for his shot-stopping abilities and leadership.
Meola's club career spanned various teams, including the New York/New Jersey MetroStars and Kansas City Wizards, where he won the MLS Cup and MLS MVP in 2000. Post-retirement, Meola transitioned into coaching and broadcasting.
WHAT’S NEXT?
Meola will focus on his rehabilitation and the broader message he's promoting about preventive health care.
