Las Palmas captain Kirian Rodriguez was first diagnosed with cancer in August 2022, forcing him to miss almost the entire 2022-2023 season. After treatment, he recovered and played most of the 2023-2024 La Liga season.

Last season, the 29-year-old midfielder was again sidelined due to a cancer recurrence. But on 9/7, Las Palmas announced that Rodriguez had completed his medical check-up for the new season. He has been training individually for the past 15 days and is now fit to train with his Las Palmas teammates. The club considers him their "best signing" of the summer of 2025.

Kirian Rodriguez during his medical check-up at Las Palmas, Spain on 8/7/2025.

Although back in training with the team, Rodriguez remains under close medical supervision. He will gradually increase his activity level, following a slow and steady process. It is unclear when the Spanish forward will be able to play again, but his goal is to return during the 2025-2026 season.

Rodriguez was born on 5/3/1996, on the island of Tenerife in the Canary Islands. He came up through the Las Palmas academy, also in the Canary Islands, and has spent his entire career playing for the club. The 29-year-old central midfielder has scored 13 goals in 134 appearances for Las Palmas.

Rodriguez's cancer, Hodgkin lymphoma, affects the lymphatic system. According to the UK National Health Service (NHS), Hodgkin lymphoma is a rare type of cancer that can quickly spread throughout the body. However, it is also one of the most treatable cancers. The main treatments are chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy, or chemotherapy alone. Surgery is not usually used.

Statistics show that 8 out of 10 people with this disease will live for 5 years or more, and most will be cured. However, there is a risk of infertility and developing other types of cancer.

Hoang An (Telecinco, NHS)