Former Queens Park Rangers goalkeeper Paul Nardi (32) has revealed that he thought he was going to die as he battled a chronic intestinal illness.

Nardi, now at AJ Auxerre, told L’Équipe that he was diagnosed with the illness back in 2020. Just months after securing promotion to Ligue 1 with FC Lorient, the Frenchman was diagnosed with chronic intestinal inflammation. “I lost 10 kg, and I went through times of severe struggle. There was even an evening when I thought that I was going to die,” said Nardi.

Despite his battle with the chronic illness, he returned to the pitch in April 2021. “I was told that the only way to beat it was by playing sport and I was told that it would have no impact on my career, despite the life-saving treatment that I had to follow,” he added.

Nardi says QPR demotion a ‘financial-political’ decision

Nardi also had to contend with a severe double shin break at the end of 2023. Nardi reveals that, seeing the exposed bone and his leg at a right angle, he thought that “football was over” for him. There was a moment of suspense as the Frenchman awaited the outcome of the surgery, which went well. He also had a word for Hein Vanhaezebrouck, his manager at Gent, who gave him the chance to return, allowing him to sign for QPR in the EFL Championship.

“I am very grateful to him,” Nardi told L’Équipe. He added that his second season at QPR, where he watched on largely from the stands, despite being the No.1 the previous season, was due to a “financial-political” decision at the London-based club. “I found myself in the stands, even though I was their best goalkeeper,” said Nardi, who nonetheless evoked a “great relationship” with the English club’s fans.

Nardi has started L’AJA’s last four games in Ligue 1, having started the season on the bench. Will Still’s side have won one, drawn one, and lost two in that time.