He was the darling footballer, who everyone enjoyed watching on the pitch, and little would his supporters one day come to know that Esala Masi now has a life-threatening heart disease.
He has spoken about his near-death experience in 2012 for the first time while he was in Australia, where he resides now.
At his peak, Esala was Fiji’s number one striker and the trump card for the Ba soccer side in the late ’90s.
His rise to stardom in local soccer led him to venture overseas when he signed to play in the Australian National Soccer League for the Gippsland Falcons club from January, 1996.
He was a healthy footballer and took care of himself in Australia and went on to play for Wollongong Wolves and helped them win the 1999-2000 National Soccer League title.
He spent three seasons at Wollongong, gaining 77 appearances and 19 goals.
After the NSL was disbanded in 2004, he played for several teams in Australia’s state league and Malaysia and in 2006, Esala joined National Premier Leagues Victoria side Oakleigh Cannons FC.
In the 2007 season, he finished as the top scorer of the league, scoring 15 goals.
Esala played international football for Fiji at U15, U20 and U23 levels and was also captain for the Fiji national soccer team.
He led Fiji during the 2003 South Pacific Games and won gold after defeating New Caledonia. He scored Fiji’s second goal from a 35-metre free-kick in the 2-0 victory.
Esala has opened up and talked about his heart condition, telling a health awareness webinar in Brisbane that “If this had occurred in Fiji, probably I wouldn’t be here talking to you today”.
The Ba native was a guest on the Rotary Club of Brisbane International organised discussion that looked at heart disease rate in Fiji. Esala was in Australia in 2012 and said he collapsed in a car park.
“They found out that I have an irregular heart beat, it happens every now and then depending on circumstances,” he said.
“It was a scary thought knowing that my heart could stop anytime.
“If this had occurred in Fiji, probably I wouldn’t be here talking to you today.
“I am here because of the brilliant medical care I received from the paramedics, nurses, doctors and specially the heart specialists.”
He said after the “frightening experience”, he had understood the importance of healthy diet, regular exercise and frequent visits to a doctor.
“At times when I come across people who have followed my football career, they always say, Esala you are a role model.
“What happened to me can happen to anyone.”
Esala’s uncle, the late Esala Masi, was also a Fiji international football player in the ’60s and he died in 2010.
His cousin, Manoa Masi, has also played in Australia and the Fiji national team.
