Former Chelsea defender Michael Duberry has revealed he played in a major European final while suffering from partial facial paralysis caused by Bell’s Palsy.
Duberry opened up about the experience while reflecting on Chelsea’s victory in the 1998 UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup Final against VfB Stuttgart.
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The former centre-back said the condition struck just two weeks before the match, leaving one side of his face temporarily paralysed.
At the time, Duberry was regarded as one of England’s most promising young defenders after breaking into Chelsea’s first team as a teenager.
Duberry battled Bell’s Palsy before European triumph
Duberry explained that he first noticed something was wrong while out for lunch with teammates following a training session.
After joking with friends, he went to the restroom and realised he could not move one side of his face.
The club doctor later diagnosed him with Bell’s Palsy and warned the recovery time could range from a few weeks to several months.
Chelsea manager Gianluca Vialli initially removed Duberry from the starting lineup to allow him time to recover, reports Talk Sport.
However, the defender worked his way back into the team and started the final, determined not to become the weak link in a squad full of experienced international players.
Chelsea eventually lifted the trophy thanks to a winning goal from Gianfranco Zola, securing a memorable night for the club.
Duberry later said playing and winning the final while dealing with the condition remains one of the biggest achievements of his career and a powerful example of resilience.
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