Jonás Gutiérrez: 'The best moment of my career' | OneFootball

Newcastle United's 2-0 win against West Ham on the final day of the 2014/15 season will forever be remembered not just for the result but for one man.

The Magpies required a victory to guarantee Premier League survival and it was Jonás Gutiérrez, returning to footballing action only two months prior following a difficult battle with testicular cancer, who produced a goal and assist to cement his name in Geordie folklore on what proved to be his final game for the club after a seven-year spell.

After a deep breath, Jonás told newcastleunited.com: "The day was amazing. We were fighting in a relegation battle and I had come back from my illness, playing a few games before the final day. It was a hard situation for the city, club, fans and players but I felt so strong.

"I spoke with John Carver and he didn't know if I would be starting but I told him 'let me play, I have a feeling that it is going to be special for me'. After that chat, he decided I started. I felt a lot of strength and confidence on the pitch even though there was so much pressure, having 52,000 fans with us."

The 22-time Argentina international, who earned the 'Spiderman' nickname after donning a mask during an iconic celebration, produced a heroic performance that any Marvel comic character would approve of after creating the opening goal, headed home by Moussa Sissoko in front of a raucous Gallowgate End, before sealing the victory himself with an unforgettable strike in the closing stages.

"We had to make an impact and I think it was one of my best games at the club because of the situation, sending the cross to Moussa to score the first goal," he reflected.

"We kept calm and when I scored in the last minutes of the game, it was time to have that moment with the fans after all the situations I was having with the club, which had made me unhappy.

"It was really special. When I saw the ball go into the net, it was something I took a lot of pride in."

Wildly celebrating with his shirt swinging above his head before famously cupping his ears whilst staring piercingly towards the Directors' Box, it was a moment of defiance for Jonás after the popular South American courageously fought a battle against testicular cancer despite being cast aside by those in previous power at the club.

Speaking to the crowd on the centre of the pitch after steering United towards Premier League safety, this was more than a farewell. It was a thank you and a vindication which, to this day, brings back emotional memories for the former winger.

"I had a lot of treatment from some people at the club that I didn't deserve so I wanted to enjoy that moment with the fans and all the people who helped me after my illness and give a gift for all of their support," he explained.

"To speak in the middle of the park after the game to all the crowd who were with me and the team was the best moment in my career. When I speak about it, I am in tears because it is so memorable for me and if there was one moment to finish my time in Newcastle, it had to be that. It was like a movie.

"It was a magical moment and something I would never have expected before the game. I had so much happiness and I could see how much the fans enjoyed that celebration. It was a fantastic moment for the city and supporters."

In October 2013, Jonás underwent surgery to remove a tumour in his left testicle before, in March 2015, appearing from the bench in United's Premier League clash against Manchester United at St. James' Park.

Despite his life-threatening illness, which saw him lose his long hair after rounds of chemotherapy, it provided Jonás with a sense of perspective as well as gratitude in his recovery before, 17 months after his diagnosis, his inspiring return to competitive action.

"When I found out I had cancer, everything I wanted to do was positive and I made sure I listened to what the doctors told me to do," he recalls. "It was so important but my mentality was strong. I stayed with the people I loved, my family and friends, as well as the fans.

"That all gave me so much strength and, day by day, I was thinking I was going to do my best to recover. That was my mentality. The main point was to think everything was going to be okay and I think all the people who find themselves in a similar position have to be strong.

"After I had cancer, I can't say my life changed but you really appreciate the small things like love, being healthy and to have positive energy. Sometimes, you think about problems that aren't really important so when you have health problems, you change your view of life.

"You try to live your life in the best way you can because we never know how many times we are going to win on this planet so you have to enjoy your best times and be a good person. Having cancer was an important experience for my life."

A decade later and the love between Jonás and Newcastle remains stronger than ever, with the healthy South American serenading the streets of Tyneside in recent weeks after being spotted busking in the city centre.

"It was a nice moment to play the guitar at Grey's Monument," he said. "I was walking around the city centre and I found a guy who was playing and just asked him if he'd allow me to play a song. It was a great moment!

"I think that is one of the best places in Newcastle. When I was a player, I used to go there to drink coffee or go for a walk so I have a lot of memories. With my new haircut, I don't think the people recognised me but when I put the video out on Instagram, they sent me messages telling me they thought it was Jonás Gutiérrez before realising it was actually me. I really enjoyed it."

Today, he watches Newcastle from afar but remains an avid supporter and was in attendance for March's historic Carabao Cup final triumph against Liverpool to experience the club's greatest footballing day in living memory.

"You can't imagine how happy I was, to be at Wembley and watch Newcastle win the trophy against Liverpool and the way they did it," he said.

"It was a fantastic game and an excellent performance from the beginning to the end. I remember the crowd being so loud and that made an impact on the team. After 70 years, the city finally had that happiness and you could feel how much it meant to the fans. I hope it's the first of many.

"When I was playing at Newcastle, that was what we wanted. You can see it now and I'm happy to see this change in the club and how much they've grown in all areas of the club.

"You can see that in the results and it's not a coincidence Newcastle are now playing to qualify for the Champions League. They've been in two cup finals in the last three years and I enjoy watching this new version of the club like a fan. I hope it can continue like this for many years to come."

Despite confirming his retirement from playing football in November 2021 at the age of 38, Jonás continues to play for Deportivo Las Toninas in his native homeland but "would like to be involved with Newcastle again" in the future.

Despite being born and raised over 7,000 miles away from the banks of the River Tyne in Sáenz Peña, a small town on the outskirts of Argentina's capital city Buenos Aires, it is clear Newcastle still retains a strong place in his heart.

"I'm so glad to come back to Newcastle," he added. "I spent seven years at the club and it was the best moments in my career. I love the city, the Geordies and all the messages they have sent me since I was a player. I enjoy all the love and I feel like a Geordie.

"It's part of my life and I'm so glad anytime I come back. I spent around ten years before coming back and the fans know why I didn't [come back sooner]. Since the board changed, I want to be back and I love the club. It's one of the best places in the world for me.

"My relationships with the supporters is incredible. They send me so much love on social media or when they see me in Newcastle. The Geordies are one of the best fans in the world with all of the passion they have. I love them and I'm so thankful for them."

Once a Geordie, always a Geordie.