“The journey continues”
World Cup hero makes his long battle with cancer public
December 4, 2025 – 9:15 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
At the 2006 World Cup, Shaka Hislop attracted attention with strong performances. Now the ex-professional has spoken about his health problems.
Former Premier League goalkeeper Shaka Hislop has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. The 56-year-old announced this in a video on Instagram. Accordingly, he went for an annual check-up a year and a half ago. During a PSA test, a blood test to examine the prostate, the PSA level was then elevated. “An MRI scan and a biopsy quickly revealed that I had fairly aggressive prostate cancer,” said Hislop.
The result: Today’s TV expert underwent a radical prostatectomy at the end of last year. “I thought that was it. But then, six months later, my PSA rose again and further testing revealed that my prostate cancer had spread to my pelvic bone.”
Shortly afterwards he started taking medication, Hislop explained. He recently completed more than seven weeks of radiation therapy. “The journey continues,” he emphasized.
Hislop also appealed to men from his own community to regularly test their PSA levels. Prostate cancer affects one in four men of black African or Caribbean descent, according to the Institute of Cancer Research. For white men it is only one in eight.
“Please get yourself checked. Know your PSA level and follow its history,” Hislop said. Prostate cancer is curable. There are treatment options. “Investigations save lives. They saved mine.” Shortly afterwards, Hislop can be seen ringing a bell in the hospital: a sign that his cancer treatment has been completed.
In Germany, Hislop became particularly famous during the 2006 World Cup. At the tournament he was between the posts for debutants Trinidad and Tobago in the first two group games. Especially in the first game against Sweden (0-0), Hislop showed an outstanding performance and secured the historic point win for the Caribbean island nation.