Fight for second place in the Bundesliga or save a human life? The Leipzig defender will try to do both!

He has played every minute so far this Bundesliga season. However, before the expected match against second-placed Union Berlin, Willi Orbán received an unexpected message. He found out that he was a suitable stem cell donor and could save a human life. But the Hungarian defender will also try to make Saturday’s start for RB Leipzig.

Willi Orbán’s name has been on the list of bone marrow donors since 2017. This list numbers thirty-eight million names worldwide, yet there is a significant shortage of donors every year. The 30-year-old defender is one of those whose stem cells matched one of the patients.

“At first I was surprised by the information, but I didn’t doubt it for a moment and wanted to donate as soon as possible. I have the opportunity to help save a human life without any effort, so there was nothing to worry about. I sincerely hope that my stem cells will help the patient to make a full recovery,” Orbán explains in an interview with the Bundesliga website.

The Hungarian international will miss the team’s training sessions during the week and the donation itself is expected to take place on Wednesday.

Normally, donors are advised to rest for up to ten days, but Orban will try to make Saturday’s important match against Union Berlin.

“Anyone who knows me will confirm that I will do everything I can to help the team as soon as possible,” said the player, who has not missed a minute on the pitch so far this season. Saturday’s home game is a direct battle for second place in the table.

Orbán has been wearing the RB Leipzig jersey since 2015, when he helped the team to promotion from the second league. In recent years, Leipzig have even established themselves on the top rungs and have made regular appearances in the Champions League.

Following Wednesday’s donation, Orban will become the second successful football donor in Germany in quick succession.

Four months ago, the same was done for Karlsruhe’s second league defender Marcel Frank.

Source: Bundesliga