Claim: Edgardo Fabián Prátola, born on May 20, 1969 in La Plata, Argentina, was the centre back for Estudiantes from 1988 to 1996; then was diagnosed with cancer of the colon in 2000.
Evidence: His career started as a defender with Estudiantes de La Plata, where his devotion was noted as one of the reasons the club returned from relegation in 1995. In the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary roles are to stop attacks during the game and prevent the opposing team from scoring goals. Edgardo Fabián Prátola (La Plata, 20 May 1969 - La Plata, 28 April 2002) was an Argentine football (soccer) player. La Plata, Argentina Diagnosed with cancer of the colon in 2000, he broke the news himself in an unassuming way, quit the team after unsuccessful surgery, and fought his illness to the end.