Cape Town - Newcastle United player Jonas Gutierrez has undergone surgery for testicular cancer in Argentina after recently being diagnosed with the disease.
The BBC report that Gutierrez has returned to Argentina to undergo treatment for testicular cancer.
"I detected a tumour in a testicle. When I confirmed the cancer, I went home crying," he told TyC Sports.
"I came here and I assumed the costs despite having a contract with Newcastle.
"Money is not important.
"What is important is health. I had to start chemotherapy." said Gutierrez.
Gutierrez joined Newcastle in July 2008 from Spanish side Mallorca and has scored 10 goals in 177 league appearances.
The player opted to return to Argentina to undergo his treatment.
Gutierrez tweets his thanks:
Gracias por todos los mensajes de apoyo. Mirando siempre para adelante. Thanks for all the messages. Always looking fordward.
— jonas gutierrez (@elgalgojonas) September 16, 2014