Mexican Actor Manuel Masalva Opens Up After Battling Life-Threatening Infection
Mexican actor Manuel Masalva, known for his gripping role as Ramón Arellano Félix in the hit Netflix series Narcos: Mexico, is slowly but surely making a comeback. After a harrowing battle with a severe bacterial infection that landed him in a medically induced coma for weeks, Masalva took to Instagram to update his fans on his road to recovery.
The Scary Turn of Events
It all started back in March when Masalva was traveling. After a trip to the Philippines, he landed in Dubai on March 18. What was supposed to be a routine stop quickly spiraled into a life-threatening ordeal. Within just a couple of days, he began experiencing intense internal pain and discomfort. His manager, Jaime Jaramillo Espinosa, revealed to The Times that things escalated fast.
“About two days after arriving in Dubai, Manuel started feeling worse. The pain wasn’t just minor; it kept increasing every day,” Jaime said.
By March 26, things took a turn for the worse. Emergency surgery was performed after doctors discovered a dangerous bacterial infection that prevented Manuel from flying back home to Mexico. To make matters worse, the infection spread to his lungs the very next day, forcing doctors to put him into a medically induced coma to stabilize his condition.
A Long Hospital Stay and a Tough Fight
Masalva ended up spending a staggering 105 days in a Dubai hospital, fighting for his life. That’s more than three months of intense medical care and uncertainty. This was a difficult chapter for the actor, who is better known for his dynamic performances alongside stars like Diego Luna, Bad Bunny, and Scoot McNairy.
Despite the hardship, Manuel’s spirit remained unbroken. In his first social media update since falling ill, posted on a Monday evening, Masalva expressed deep gratitude for the outpouring of support.
“I am healing,” he wrote simply, but powerfully. “I want to profoundly thank you all for the support you have given me and continue to give me, in every sense, every one of you.”
He went on to say that his recovery process has just begun and that there’s still a long way to go, but he feels blessed and reborn. “God has given me a new life,” he shared.
The Emotional Side of Recovery
It’s clear from his heartfelt message that Manuel has faced not only physical challenges but also an emotional roller coaster. He reflected on the uncertainty of what exactly happened during those critical weeks in the hospital.
“I don’t know if I really understand all of what’s going on or just a part of it,” he admitted. “It’s been an eternity and there are still some parts missing.”
His words highlight the confusion and vulnerability that come with surviving such a serious health crisis. Yet, despite everything, he showed immense gratitude — not just to God but also to his family, doctors, and the countless people who supported him throughout.
“I just want to give the strongest thanks I can to God, my family, my doctors, and all those people who have supported me since the start of this process. I owe you all my life,” Manuel wrote.
Praise for Dubai’s Hospital Staff and Culture
Interestingly, Masalva also took time to commend the hospital staff in Dubai. He praised the unique culture there — one that overflowed with love, care, and spirituality. This wasn’t just a sterile medical environment; it was a place where compassion played a huge role in his healing journey.
This acknowledgment speaks volumes about how the environment and emotional support can impact recovery in critical cases. It also paints a picture of how global medical care can sometimes surpass expectations, even when far from home.
Career Highlights and What’s Next
For those who might not know, Manuel Masalva gained widespread recognition for his role in Narcos: Mexico, where he starred alongside some of the biggest names in the industry like Diego Luna and Bad Bunny. His portrayal of Ramón Arellano Félix, a notorious figure involved in drug trafficking, earned him significant praise.
Before Narcos: Mexico, Masalva had roles in popular telenovelas such as La Rosa de Guadalupe and more recently appeared in the series La Guzmán. His rising career had been gaining momentum before this unexpected health scare.
Now, as he embarks on the path to full recovery, fans are eager to see what projects he will take on next. Given his resilience and spirit, it’s clear this setback is only temporary.
Key Takeaways and Highlights:
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Manuel Masalva's ordeal: Contracted a severe bacterial infection while traveling in Dubai after visiting the Philippines.
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Critical condition: Underwent emergency surgery; infection spread to lungs leading to medically induced coma.
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Long hospital stay: Spent 105 days in Dubai hospital fighting for his life.
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Recovery update: Posted first social media update in months, describing himself as “blessed, strong, reborn.”
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Gratitude: Thanked family, doctors, God, and fans for their support.
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Praise for Dubai hospital: Highlighted the loving, spiritual culture of the staff.
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Career: Known for Narcos: Mexico role; also starred in La Rosa de Guadalupe and La Guzmán.
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Future outlook: Poised for recovery and return to acting.
Why This Story Resonates
Manuel Masalva’s experience reminds us how fragile life can be and how unexpected health emergencies can strike even the strongest among us. His public update serves not only as a personal milestone but also as inspiration for anyone battling their own health struggles.
The power of community support, faith, and good medical care shine through his story. It also underscores the importance of mental and emotional strength alongside physical healing.
If you’re a fan of Narcos: Mexico or just a believer in the human spirit, Masalva’s journey is a moving testament to resilience and hope. We’ll definitely be keeping an eye on his comeback and cheering him on every step of the way.
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