Daouda Peeters: From Juventus Star to Overcoming Paralysis and Reviving His Career in the USL
By Jeff Carlisle – October 13, 2025, 01:35 PM ET
In the summer of 2021, Daouda Peeters was at the peak of his soccer career, playing as a holding midfielder for the illustrious Italian club Juventus. He had trained alongside global icons like Cristiano Ronaldo, and shared the field with club legends such as Giorgio Chiellini, FIFA World Cup winner Paulo Dybala, and his fellow American Weston McKennie.
However, just four months later, his life took a drastic turn as he faced the possibility of ending his career. Peeters was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), a rare neurological disorder, which left him paralyzed from the waist down. After a long and arduous recovery, he is now playing in the USL Championship for the Las Vegas Lights. He often shares his journey with his younger teammates, reminding them of the fleeting nature of professional sports.
“I tell the young players, ‘Look, everything seems great, but cherish every moment because it can all change in an instant,'” Peeters mentioned in an interview.
His troubles began early in the 2021-22 season while on loan to Belgian team Standard Liege. Initially thrilled to return to his childhood home, Peeters found himself struggling with unusual weakness in his legs by late October, leading to a dramatic decline in his stamina.
Recalling one incident, Peeters said, “I was simply trying to walk to the fridge, and I fell. I thought it was nothing at first, but it kept getting worse.” Standard Liege’s medical officer, Dr. Bertrand Vanden Bulck, ordered tests which revealed GBS, a diagnosis that left the medical staff astonished due to its rarity in athletes.
Dr. Michael Wilson, a neurologist at UC-San Francisco, explained that GBS attacks the nerve insulation, disrupting function. Peeters’ condition rapidly deteriorated, and within days of his last practice, he found himself hospitalized and unable to walk.
For the first two months of his paralysis, Peeters occupied his time watching Netflix and reading, but he was painfully aware of his physical decline.
His rehabilitation progressed in stages, utilizing electrical stimulation to reactivate his nerves and core strengthening exercises to stabilize his body. “It was all about reconnecting my muscles to work together,” he noted.
In winter, Peeters returned to Juventus for further recovery. He discovered that regaining strength wasn’t enough; he had to reacquire his soccer instincts. After his first practice games, he experienced loss of sensation in his feet after just an hour of play.
To reclaim his former athleticism, he was loaned to Sudtirol in Italy’s Serie B for the 2023-24 season. On October 21, 2023, almost two years after his diagnosis, he made his return in an official match against Cremonese, playing 78 minutes in a 1-0 victory and subsequently appearing in 19 matches.
Reflecting on his comeback, he said, “It was a special day. I was relieved and ecstatic to be playing football again, to be back with teammates and to experience the adrenaline once more.”
However, completing his recovery has proven challenging, particularly in achieving the final 5% to 10% of his prior performance level. As the 2024-25 season began, he played for Juventus NextGen, but felt stagnant and sought a new opportunity.
Las Vegas Lights’ sporting director, Gian Neglia, had previously noticed Peeters during his time with Sudtirol and recognized his potential for revival in the U.S. “He was viewed in Italy as ‘the guy with that disease,’ which can be challenging,” Neglia stated. “Peeters wanted a fresh start and we were excited to welcome him.” Peeters had also consulted with his family and former teammate Younes Boudadi, who encouraged him to embrace this new chapter.
This season has not been without setbacks, as a visa issue and a recurring ankle injury limited him to eight league matches. However, his long-range passing and ability to navigate tight situations have impressed Neglia, who looks forward to seeing his further development next season.
Playing in Las Vegas has shifted Peeters’ outlook on his career. Although it may lack the prestige of Juventus, he values his journey, recognizing that the most significant victories—such as relearning to walk and train—often occur beyond the limelight. “There are different opportunities,” he said. “While I may be far from family, I’m grateful to be in America, exploring a new culture and feeling healthy again.”
Peeters continues to set new goals, tackling each step of his path forward with determination.
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