Hal Robson-Kanu will always be remembered for his legendary strike at Euro 2016 against Belgium, but he has other ambitions now.
On a day every Welsh football fan will have etched into their memory, Robson-Kanu proved the nation’s hero in their stunning quarter-final win.
With 55 minutes on the clock against Belgium and Marouane Fellaini on his back, the striker pulled off an incredible Cruyff turn to bamboozle the Red Devils’ defence.
Before the Belgian defenders could even turn their necks, Robson-Kanu was one-on-one with Thibaut Courtois, coolly slotting past the goalkeeper to spark pandemonium from Cardiff to Colwyn Bay.
Wales would go on to win the contest 3-1 and Robson-Kanu’s goal was nominated for the 2016 edition of the Puskas Award – a prize for the best goal of the year.
While the forward would lose the Puskas prize to Mohd Faiz Subri after his sublime free-kick, there is no doubt that the goal has since turned Robson-Kanu into a national treasure.
Not that the strike ranks among his own favourite achievements, instead, his drinks company is what he is most proud of.
Robson-Kanu is the founder and CEO of The Turmeric Co. – which produces powerful nutrition shots filled with antioxidants, vitamins and, of course, turmeric.
Having spat out his first taste of a turmeric shot, Robson-Kanu saw the market potential after it helped his recovery from a serious injury, and his drinks are starting to hit the shelves in high-street shops.
After being laughed out of the building for suggesting his new drink, Robson-Kanu and his father started their own business and they are now selling 10,000 shots a week, have a partnership with Brentford and produce drinks for Sainsbury’s.
In an interview with The Times, writer Alyson Rudd reveals Robson-Kanu has watched replays of his goal against Belgium more than 2,000 times, but he is more proud of his new business venture.
“I’m so passionate about it because I had severe, chronic inflammation,” the 35-year-old said.
“I couldn’t recover and I was hampered with the pain following the two ACL surgeries I’d had as a teenager. We had turned to anti-inflammatory medication that had adverse reactions.”
A specific concoction of melon, pomegranate, pineapple, ginger and turmeric was struck, discovered by his father, and he has not looked back since.
He added: “So I then religiously took this blend and my dad would create these batches every four or five days and leave them in my fridge.
“Six weeks after I began taking it I rolled out of bed, headed into the shower and it was then I realised it was the first time in over two and a half years I had woken up without any pain or restriction in my knee.
“It was a lightbulb moment for me. Up until that time, I’d taken everything at face value. The surgeon had told me I would never play without restriction.
“From that point on, I took it religiously and I was able to go on and play and train competitively at Reading, went on to make my first-team debut then my international debut with Wales [in 2010] and then [in 2012], I made my Premier League debut when we got promoted with Reading.
“I used that turmeric blend as my secret weapon throughout my career.”
He added: “My mentality is that it’s all an experience. That’s my approach to everything, whether it’s running a business or running out alongside Cristiano Ronaldo.”
Wales will not be at Euro 2024 after their heartbreaking play-off defeat to Poland, while Robson-Kanu has not played professional football in three years since being released by West Brom.
It would seem his football days are over – but Wales will always have that goal against Belgium – and now Robson-Kanu has an even greater purpose of helping people to feel pain-free.
News Summary:
- I’m a Euros legend who scored Puskas nominee but now I’m more proud of my drinks company
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