Rare disease battle ends: Patrik Gunnarsson back at KV Kortrijk

Keeper Patrik Gunnarsson, 25, has rejoined KV Kortrijk after a twenty‑month fight against an extremely rare muscle disease that forced three hospital admissions and left him unable to perform simple tasks. The medical treatment now clears the way for his comeback, allowing him to finally call himself a footballer again.

For twenty months Gunnarsson lived between hope and despair, grappling with the uncertainty of his condition. His everyday routine was dominated by medical appointments and intensive rehabilitation.

Doctors described the illness as extremely rare, and it required three separate hospital admissions. Each stay involved intensive care and a prolonged recovery period.

“Even opening a bottle was no longer possible,” Gunnarsson recalled, describing how the disease stripped him of simple tasks. The limitation underscored the severity of his condition.

With treatment now successful, Gunnarsson can finally call himself a footballer again and has rejoined the KV Kortrijk squad. His comeback is being hailed as a moral boost for the club and its supporters.