John Benjamin Toshack's difficult present: the 'Welshman' who left his mark on Real Sociedad and Real Madrid fights his toughest personal battle against dementia

The news has spread like wildfire through football circles. John Benjamin Toshack, that tall man who arrived from the British Isles to forever change the history of Real Sociedad, is now fighting his toughest match. One not played on the pitch, but against dementia. A terrible illness that doesn't care about legends or titles, and has now become his most silent opponent.

Hear the name Toshack and the mind goes straight to goals, to that long stride, to those 80s when the txuri-urdin side were on top of the world. But if there's one thing that defines this family, it's that football runs through their veins. It's not just John Benjamin; it's a whole dynasty. While the patriarch faces this difficult time, his son Cameron Toshack continues the legacy on the sidelines. Cameron, who came through the ranks at Swansea, has been forging his own path, understanding the game with the same clear vision his father had in the box. It's curious how a surname can weigh heavy, but in this case, the son has carried that weight with the elegance of someone who learned from the best.

And if we talk about the next generation, we have to focus on Mat Toshack. The grandson, a striker like his grandfather, has been steadily making his way through English and Australian football. For those of us who follow the youth setups, seeing Mat is like finding an echo from the past. He has that build, that goal-scoring instinct that made John Benjamin a legend. It's not easy to carry a surname with such history, but the lad is showing that the footballing DNA in this family is serious stuff.

Of course, we can't forget the other Toshack who left his mark, albeit in a different sport and on the other side of the world. I'm talking about Ernie Toshack, the fearsome left-arm bowler for Australian cricket. Now that was another unforgettable Toshack. But if there's something that unites all the Toshacks, besides the surname, it's that ability to excel in their field, to be leading figures. Even in music, because it doesn't stop with sport. Does anyone remember Toshack Highway? That musical project that took indie essence into more psychedelic territory. Yes, creativity is also in this clan's genes.

A legacy that goes beyond the scoreboard

But let's get back to John Benjamin. For those of us who lived through Spanish football in the 80s and 90s, Toshack isn't just a name. He's the architect of an epic story. That Welshman who arrived as a player and stayed as a legend. As a manager, his influence is felt in two of the most ambitious projects in our league: the record-breaking Real Sociedad and that Real Madrid side always striving for excellence. His style, direct, no-nonsense, was a reflection of his character. And now, seeing him in this fight against dementia, it hurts as if he were one of our own.

Because Spanish football owes him a great deal. He was one of those managers who arrived, broke the mould, and taught us that football could be understood from a different perspective. His influence goes beyond trophies. It's in the way he understood the dressing room, the courage to bet on young players, the way he stood up to the big clubs without any inferiority complex.

• Player: He left his mark at Liverpool and, above all, at Real Sociedad, where he became an absolute icon.
• Manager: He led Real Sociedad during their golden era, winning two consecutive league titles, and had spells at Real Madrid and Deportivo, among others.
• Family legacy: His son Cameron and grandson Mat keep the family name alive on the football pitch.

In recent days, as details of his health condition have begun to emerge in football circles, many of us have been left with a lump in our throats. But it's also a time to remember. To value what he did, what he represents. In Zubieta, in Anoeta, in any corner of San Sebastián, his name is still spoken with respect. And now, more than ever, it's time to send him strength. Because if John Benjamin Toshack showed us anything on the sidelines, it's that he never gives up. And this battle, tough as it may be, will be no exception.

From here, a huge hug to the whole family. Because the Toshacks are part of our history, and they always will be.