‘It’s quite incredible,’ says Cesc Fabregas as great-grandmother turns 96 after two positive Covid-19 tests

By the sound of it there’s clearly something special about the Fabregas family genes.

There is of course renowned footballer Cesc Fabregas – World Cup and European Championship winner with Spain and a player who has enjoyed a glittering and trophy laden career with some of Europe’s top clubs.

Then there is Fabregas’ great-grandmother. She turned 96 on July 23, this after twice testing positive for Covid-19.

“It’s quite incredible,” AS Monaco midfielder Fabregas, who is in touch with his great-grandmother via FaceTime and the phone, told CNN Sport.

“We’re very proud of her,” as he reflected on his great-grandmother’s remarkable longevity and brush with the pandemic.

“There was a moment where there was a lot of people falling,” adds Fabregas, recalling an emotional conversation with his grandmother.

“She was so scared that she told me, ‘It’s over.’ And I said, listen, ‘You know, you have to be positive. You never you never know what can happen.’”

Fabregas in action for Monaco during the French Ligue 1 match between Olympique de Marseille (OM) and AS Monaco (ASM) at Stade Velodrome on January 13, 2019 in Marseille, France.

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‘Little pleasures’

There have many highs and lows for the 33-year-old Fabregas during lockdown.

He has enjoyed the ‘little pleasures” of spending time with his wife and their three children, but life without football has been difficult since Ligue 1 took the early decision to cancel the season in March.

‘I’ve been completely jealous and in a way a bit frustrated as a spectator watching other teams,” said Fabregas referring to the way the Bundesliga and English Premier League had completed their seasons.

“I always said from day one that when they [Ligue de Football Professionnel] canceled the league it was a rash decision and that they should have waited.

“I think the other leagues, they showed great discipline, professionalism, and taught a lesson in a way to this league that things could have been done differently … and I think ‘chapeau’ for all the teams that continued and finished their championships.

Fabregas (L) vies with Qarabag's Azerbaijani midfielder Gara Garayev during the UEFA Champions League Group C football match between Chelsea and Qarabag at Stamford Bridge in London on September 12, 2017.

Crouched on a chair in his son’s bedroom at home, Fabregas also reveals his dismay that he doesn’t feel he can take him to watch a football match without running the risk of hearing racism in the stands.

“My dream is to bring my son to watch football every Saturday, every Sunday. And if you see these things, you just won’t do it. I won’t do it.

“I love it when there’s banter between fans. But when you cross the line, I mean, what’s the point? What’s the need? There’s so many people, kids watching, attending games.”

Fabregas from the penalty spot during the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and Granda CF at Camp Nou on November 23, 2013 in Barcelona, Spain.

After 17 years in the game and a career that has spanned three different leagues at four clubs – Arsenal, Barcelona, Chelsea and now Monaco – Fabregas says he has never witnessed racism in football “face-to-face” but has always been aware of its presence.

“I have heard it in stadiums. Sometimes you don’t even realize because you’re focused, you know, on the game. And then some guys, they will tell you, look what they’re singing, look what they’re saying. And you’re like, oh, my God, you know, this is this is terrible.”

And with that thought, Fabregas questions whether he should have done more.

“At the end of the day,” he admits, “maybe all of us didn’t have the courage to stand up for it.”

Fabregas gestures during his presentation as the new signing for FC Barcelona at Camp Nou sports complex on August 15, 2011 in Barcelona, Spain.

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Need to listen

More positively he believes things are changing. George Floyd’s death and the Black Lives Matter movement have – for now – spurred football into action.

In recent weeks players and clubs have showed solidarity for the movement by donning BLM logo’s on their shirts and taking a knee before kick-off. Players have spoken publicly – many for the first time – about the extent of the racist abuse they have suffered.

But in a sport where racism has been endemic for decades, is this a fleeting moment of solidarity or a genuine turning point?

“It has to be,” insists Fabregas. “This is the moment. We cannot give up or go back … racism will not disappear over a day, over a year or even five years. We have to support and respect each other.”

Playing for Arsenal, Fabregas is tackled by Tom Huddlestone of Spurs during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal at White Hart Lane on April 20, 2011 in London, England.

Fabregas says the best way forward is to educate – and listen.

“When I hear Raheem Sterling, [Marcus] Rashford speak … these guys they are legends,” adds Fabregas, referring to the Manchester City and United stars. “They are the ones that we have to listen to because they say it as it is. You learn so much from these young guys. They are an example to society and to all of us.”

Fabregas is optimistic that the current wave of player activism could help shape football in other ways too.

“I believe there are people in football who are homosexual. This should be the next step. I understand why they could be scared to come out because they will feel lonely. They know that ignorant people will attack them and will sing songs against them [in the stands].

“I’ve been with someone who was shy and perhaps wondering what we would think of him …. It’s a tricky subject to talk about, especially if you’re a young player. It’s up to the experienced veterans of the game to help them express themselves.”

Fabregas shoots during the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa final match between Netherlands and Spain at Soccer City Stadium on July 11, 2010 in Johannesburg, South Africa.

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FA Cup final

On Saturday, two of Fabregas’ former clubs – Arsenal and Chelsea – meet in the FA Cup final.

Having shared a similar path in football to Frank Lampard and Mikel Arteta, now the respective managers of Chelsea Arsenal, Fabregas is impressed by how both have survived early challenges in their debut season to now be in with the chance of a major piece of silverware.

“Mikel started in the middle of the season, and that’s always more difficult in my view. But obviously, Frank had a difficult challenge in front of him … even if he had a preseason, even if he recovered some players, they lost Eden Hazard, Gary Cahill, David Luiz, who is a very important player inside the dressing room. It was a massive blow.”

Fabregas (R) runs with the ball past Leonardo Bonucci of Italy during the UEFA EURO 2012 final match between Spain and Italy at the Olympic Stadium on July 1, 2012 in Kiev, Ukraine.

Instead he has been immensely pleased to see both managers taking a chance on their young talent – without which, he says – he would have never become the player he is today.

“Arsene Wenger was putting me every week when I was just 16, and I made mistakes which I realise now when I watch the videos back. But he kept playing me and playing me … And eventually you become the player you can be.

“But without this I don’t know where I or Thierry Henry, Patrick Viera would be … You always need a father figure like this that believes in you.”

Fabregas talks to Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger during preseason training on July 24, 2004 in Bad Waltersdorf, Austria.

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If Fabregas were to ever follow Lampard and Arteta down the managerial route one day, Wenger or ‘Le Professeur’ isn’t the only illustrious teacher he’d draw upon.

“I’ve been so lucky to have played with the very best in history. So my style would be a mix of Guardiola, Mourinho and Wenger … It’s not bad, right?” Fabregas quips.

“I will take the positive of each and then you have the best manager in the history of the sport!”