Leandro Bacuna has opened up on the horrendous ordeal he and his Curacao team-mates endured after their international team-mate passed away.
Jarzinho Pieter died of a suspected heart attack on the same day Curacao played Haiti in the Concacaf Nations League a fortnight ago, a sudden and shocking incident which rocked the team's camp.
Bacuna was extremely close to Pieter, even describing him as his 'brother' in an emotional post on Instagram , and was understandably shaken up by the goalkeeper's passing.
“It’s a bit weird because no one actually knows what happened," he said of Pieter's death. "We woke up in the morning and he was not at breakfast.
“Someone went to check on him and he was just there. He was a very good friend of mine. It is very sad to hear.
“Probably, it was his time. We have just got to help the family and keep strong as a national team.
“It was very hard. We had to play the game that same day (against Haiti). We chose to play in his name and do the best we could. It’s just a sad story.”
It makes it all the more remarkable, then, that his last two performances have arguably been his best in a Cardiff City shirt.
Bacuna's travel arrangements after that Haiti game meant he arrived at East Midlands Airport just 24 hours before the Derby clash, in which he turned out a stellar performance in the most difficult of circumstances.
Understandably, given his tumultuous week, he requested two days off last week before the visit of Middlesbrough. Neil Warnock afforded him the leave, such is the player's importance to this Bluebirds side now.
Bacuna returned refreshed against Boro and put in another commanding performance in the middle of the park.
He is going a long way to ensuring the absence of summer signing Marlon Pack, who has been out of action since sustaining a grade three hamstring tear against Reading last month, is not being too sorely felt.
Since signing for City back in January Bacuna has certainly had his detractors, but he now believes he has finally settled into the team and is desperate to continue performing.
“In the beginning it was about getting used to a way of playing," he added.
"I think I have settled down. I am trying to play the best I can and to help the team.”
