‘Just think about what I said, with your experience at lower levels, I think you’d make a great coach’
‘I had 1 chance to impress at professional level and got injured, I’m going to be lucky to play again, what makes a failed semi-pro footballer a good coach?’
‘Just think about it’
He woke up suddenly. For the third straight night, he’d had the same dream, a figure dressed in white was sat in a restaurant opposite Miguel, and was telling him how he’d make a great coach or manager, and every time Miguel asked him how he as a failed footballer could be a good manager, he suddenly wakes up. After a few moments he’d forgot all about it, and decided to go to the canteen for some breakfast.
By the start of December he was now walking with the aid of crutches, whilst his left leg was still in a lot of pain, the amount medication he was taking helped take the pain away. As was normal by this stage, he’d see Leonor sat at the same table in the restaurant waiting for him. It started out as a means to get Miguel walking with the crutches on his own.
At the start of this part of his rehabilitation, Leonor would get to work early and would walk with him, usually having 1 hand on his shoulder as he walked to the restaurant and she’d walk him to a table, after which she’d go for coffee and some breakfast. However as the weeks went by he was able to get himself from his room to the restaurant and meet her there. He was making incredible progress she’d often remark to herself, if he carries on at this rate, he may just put on a pair of football boots again, but even she was getting ahead of herself here, there was a long way to go.
After around 20 minutes or so of this morning’s discussion she asked him about his career. She’d never met a professional footballer, although he kept reminding her that he was only a professional for 9 games, 1 of which he was brought to hospital after suffering the current injury he finds himself with, but she was still interested in what he had to say.
‘So did Varzim ever contact you?’
‘Yes and no, they told Oleiros their scouts were there to watch me specifically, and each of the games they were there I did well, scored or assisted in each, so I think I did well but nothing ever came of it’
‘Were you upset at that?’
‘Nah, not really, I never thought I’d ever make it as a pro, I had a decent little number at Oleiros, I was player of the year, club ambassador, I had it good, but the money wasn’t the best, I just kept thinking if I make it I make it, if not it’s not the end of the world, and between you and me, I’m not actually that good a player, I’m what you’d call the best of a bad bunch’ he said with a smile on his face.
‘But Estoril are a pretty big club aren’t they? They were willing to give you a chance’
‘Yeah but even then I only made the reserves, and I did give it my all, I would’ve been happy playing back up to the first team. Anyway, when we talk it always seems to be about me, I don’t know much about you’
‘What do you want know? I’m a trainee nurse and qualified physio, so I split my time between here and the physio therapy center downstairs. I don’t really have a lot of time on my hands, so getting this time with you some mornings I really enjoy’
Miguel didn’t know if she was being genuine or not, but he appreciated the comment
‘Anyway, from my professional point of view, I think you’re making remarkable progress’
‘Thanks, I’m not getting ahead of myself, I do hope to play again 1 day though’
‘1 step at a time. Oh dear look at the time, I’ve got to get going, I’ll try and see you on the ward later, maybe grab lunch?’
‘That’d be nice, have a good day’
‘You too’ she smiled and walked off.
As has been routine for most of his life, Miguel continued his support for the football team he loves the most. By the end of December Sporting Lisbon had won 3 and lost 1 in the league to keep them near the top pushing Benfica and Porto all the way. There was the big derby game between Sporting and Porto coming up on the 12th of January, but he’ll probably get to watch it from the hospital, he’s nowhere near confident enough to leave just yet, plus the doctors wouldn’t sign off on his release yet any way.
As for the big game itself, it wasn’t anything special. Both teams were riding high in the league, Porto leading the league in first place and Sporting in third, but it was a nervy game with neither team really taking many chances, and the end result of a 0-0 draw surprised no one.
After another uneventful 2 weeks, Miguel had a check in with the surgeon who performed the surgeries on his leg.
‘I don’t think I ever mentioned this to you, but I’ve worked on plenty of footballers in the past’
‘Oh really, like who?’
‘What you’d call big name players like Alan Shearer, Johnathon Woodgate, Robert Pires, Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink to name a few when I was working in England, but when I moved back to Portugal I have worked on Raul’s knee before he went to Qatar, and Alessandro Del Piero came to me when he got injured playing in Australia, he said I prolonged his career, that’s always the ultimate compliment, and they’ve all given me signed shirts as a thank you’
Miguel didn’t know if the doctor was hinting at something but replied with ‘that’s pretty cool, I can give you a signed Estoril shirt if you want’
‘You don’t have to, I never ask for anything in return, I’m just doing my job’
After a general check up and the usual questions, the doctor asked Miguel about his physiotherapy
‘I know a guy who runs a clinic here in Lisbon for recovering athletes, you should check it out when you start you're walking without crutches, I know the guy really well, I think you should meet him and get some advice’
‘Sounds great, I’ll look into it’
‘That didn’t sound convincing, I will ask him to come here and talk to you, doctors orders’
‘Okay thanks’
With that the doctor left. The next few days were spent relaxing and keeping tabs on the things happening in the world of football. In England there’s rumors the team he likes to see do well, Newcastle United are set to break their own transfer record with the signing of Miguel Almiron from the MLS, however nothing has come of it yet. There’s no real transfer news for Sporting apart from a couple of youth players going out on loan, but the club is in a healthy position still in third place in the league, with only 2 league games to come in January, a home game with Moreirense and an away game with Vitoria de Setubal, as well as the quarter final of the Taca de Portugal, the Portuguese cup, against Feirense.
When he wasn’t thinking about Sporting Lisbon, he was generally thinking about his own future. What if he couldn’t play again, then what? Would he have to go and find a job that doesn’t involve football? Just as his mind started wandering, there was a knock at the door, and a figure wearing a white shirt and grey trousers walked in that seemed to be recognisable, but Miguel wasn’t sure if it was him or not.
‘Hello Miguel, Doctor Martinez asked me to come and speak to you’
Miguel was sort of star struck, that couldn’t be him, surely it was someone who happened to look like him, or was it?
After nearly 2 hours, Miguel’s initial suspicion was confirmed as his visitor was clearly who he thought he was. The man had made time to see Miguel and explained that he owns and runs a rehabilitation clinic in the heart of Lisbon, and specifically caters to athletes that have suffered high level injuries.
During their time together they also spoke about each other’s career, Miguels own career didn’t compare in comparison to his visitors career, nowhere near in fact, but he seemed genuinely interested in what Miguel had to say about his experiences at semi professional level. The visitor did remark that not every player was fortunate enough to play at the San Siro, Bernabeau, and all over the world, but he was grateful for the opportunities football had afforded him.
Not long before he left, Miguel’s visitor had also remarked that he was part of a committee in another country that helps people make their way into football coaching. It was only a small operation at the minute, but the aim was to give retiring players, or other people in sport a chance to gain their coaching licences as well as some experience at regional level, in the hopes that they can make it in coaching.
‘Just give it some thought Miguel, we’ve only been running the course around 4 months but we’ve had a number of retiring players come to us and start work on their coaching badges’ the man was saying ‘And if nothing else, it may help take your mind of things whilst you’re here’
‘Thanks, I’ll certainly give it some thought’
‘I’ve got to get going now, here’s my number, just in case you need to chat, or you want some advice’
‘Wow, you, you’re giving me your number? I’m speechless’
‘Don’t be, I’m being genuine, if for nothing else I really want to help other players in tough situations make the most of the time they have left in the game’. With that the man left the room.
Shortly before this conversation Miguel was having bad thoughts about his time in football, now however, there seems to be an option should his playing career be in jeopardy. As he sat back down with a smile on his face, his phone rang, and he recognised the number
‘Hello?’
‘Miguel, we need to talk’
‘I had 1 chance to impress at professional level and got injured, I’m going to be lucky to play again, what makes a failed semi-pro footballer a good coach?’
‘Just think about it’
He woke up suddenly. For the third straight night, he’d had the same dream, a figure dressed in white was sat in a restaurant opposite Miguel, and was telling him how he’d make a great coach or manager, and every time Miguel asked him how he as a failed footballer could be a good manager, he suddenly wakes up. After a few moments he’d forgot all about it, and decided to go to the canteen for some breakfast.
By the start of December he was now walking with the aid of crutches, whilst his left leg was still in a lot of pain, the amount medication he was taking helped take the pain away. As was normal by this stage, he’d see Leonor sat at the same table in the restaurant waiting for him. It started out as a means to get Miguel walking with the crutches on his own.
At the start of this part of his rehabilitation, Leonor would get to work early and would walk with him, usually having 1 hand on his shoulder as he walked to the restaurant and she’d walk him to a table, after which she’d go for coffee and some breakfast. However as the weeks went by he was able to get himself from his room to the restaurant and meet her there. He was making incredible progress she’d often remark to herself, if he carries on at this rate, he may just put on a pair of football boots again, but even she was getting ahead of herself here, there was a long way to go.
After around 20 minutes or so of this morning’s discussion she asked him about his career. She’d never met a professional footballer, although he kept reminding her that he was only a professional for 9 games, 1 of which he was brought to hospital after suffering the current injury he finds himself with, but she was still interested in what he had to say.
‘So did Varzim ever contact you?’
‘Yes and no, they told Oleiros their scouts were there to watch me specifically, and each of the games they were there I did well, scored or assisted in each, so I think I did well but nothing ever came of it’
‘Were you upset at that?’
‘Nah, not really, I never thought I’d ever make it as a pro, I had a decent little number at Oleiros, I was player of the year, club ambassador, I had it good, but the money wasn’t the best, I just kept thinking if I make it I make it, if not it’s not the end of the world, and between you and me, I’m not actually that good a player, I’m what you’d call the best of a bad bunch’ he said with a smile on his face.
‘But Estoril are a pretty big club aren’t they? They were willing to give you a chance’
‘Yeah but even then I only made the reserves, and I did give it my all, I would’ve been happy playing back up to the first team. Anyway, when we talk it always seems to be about me, I don’t know much about you’
‘What do you want know? I’m a trainee nurse and qualified physio, so I split my time between here and the physio therapy center downstairs. I don’t really have a lot of time on my hands, so getting this time with you some mornings I really enjoy’
Miguel didn’t know if she was being genuine or not, but he appreciated the comment
‘Anyway, from my professional point of view, I think you’re making remarkable progress’
‘Thanks, I’m not getting ahead of myself, I do hope to play again 1 day though’
‘1 step at a time. Oh dear look at the time, I’ve got to get going, I’ll try and see you on the ward later, maybe grab lunch?’
‘That’d be nice, have a good day’
‘You too’ she smiled and walked off.
As has been routine for most of his life, Miguel continued his support for the football team he loves the most. By the end of December Sporting Lisbon had won 3 and lost 1 in the league to keep them near the top pushing Benfica and Porto all the way. There was the big derby game between Sporting and Porto coming up on the 12th of January, but he’ll probably get to watch it from the hospital, he’s nowhere near confident enough to leave just yet, plus the doctors wouldn’t sign off on his release yet any way.
As for the big game itself, it wasn’t anything special. Both teams were riding high in the league, Porto leading the league in first place and Sporting in third, but it was a nervy game with neither team really taking many chances, and the end result of a 0-0 draw surprised no one.
After another uneventful 2 weeks, Miguel had a check in with the surgeon who performed the surgeries on his leg.
‘I don’t think I ever mentioned this to you, but I’ve worked on plenty of footballers in the past’
‘Oh really, like who?’
‘What you’d call big name players like Alan Shearer, Johnathon Woodgate, Robert Pires, Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink to name a few when I was working in England, but when I moved back to Portugal I have worked on Raul’s knee before he went to Qatar, and Alessandro Del Piero came to me when he got injured playing in Australia, he said I prolonged his career, that’s always the ultimate compliment, and they’ve all given me signed shirts as a thank you’
Miguel didn’t know if the doctor was hinting at something but replied with ‘that’s pretty cool, I can give you a signed Estoril shirt if you want’
‘You don’t have to, I never ask for anything in return, I’m just doing my job’
After a general check up and the usual questions, the doctor asked Miguel about his physiotherapy
‘I know a guy who runs a clinic here in Lisbon for recovering athletes, you should check it out when you start you're walking without crutches, I know the guy really well, I think you should meet him and get some advice’
‘Sounds great, I’ll look into it’
‘That didn’t sound convincing, I will ask him to come here and talk to you, doctors orders’
‘Okay thanks’
With that the doctor left. The next few days were spent relaxing and keeping tabs on the things happening in the world of football. In England there’s rumors the team he likes to see do well, Newcastle United are set to break their own transfer record with the signing of Miguel Almiron from the MLS, however nothing has come of it yet. There’s no real transfer news for Sporting apart from a couple of youth players going out on loan, but the club is in a healthy position still in third place in the league, with only 2 league games to come in January, a home game with Moreirense and an away game with Vitoria de Setubal, as well as the quarter final of the Taca de Portugal, the Portuguese cup, against Feirense.
When he wasn’t thinking about Sporting Lisbon, he was generally thinking about his own future. What if he couldn’t play again, then what? Would he have to go and find a job that doesn’t involve football? Just as his mind started wandering, there was a knock at the door, and a figure wearing a white shirt and grey trousers walked in that seemed to be recognisable, but Miguel wasn’t sure if it was him or not.
‘Hello Miguel, Doctor Martinez asked me to come and speak to you’
Miguel was sort of star struck, that couldn’t be him, surely it was someone who happened to look like him, or was it?
After nearly 2 hours, Miguel’s initial suspicion was confirmed as his visitor was clearly who he thought he was. The man had made time to see Miguel and explained that he owns and runs a rehabilitation clinic in the heart of Lisbon, and specifically caters to athletes that have suffered high level injuries.
During their time together they also spoke about each other’s career, Miguels own career didn’t compare in comparison to his visitors career, nowhere near in fact, but he seemed genuinely interested in what Miguel had to say about his experiences at semi professional level. The visitor did remark that not every player was fortunate enough to play at the San Siro, Bernabeau, and all over the world, but he was grateful for the opportunities football had afforded him.
Not long before he left, Miguel’s visitor had also remarked that he was part of a committee in another country that helps people make their way into football coaching. It was only a small operation at the minute, but the aim was to give retiring players, or other people in sport a chance to gain their coaching licences as well as some experience at regional level, in the hopes that they can make it in coaching.
‘Just give it some thought Miguel, we’ve only been running the course around 4 months but we’ve had a number of retiring players come to us and start work on their coaching badges’ the man was saying ‘And if nothing else, it may help take your mind of things whilst you’re here’
‘Thanks, I’ll certainly give it some thought’
‘I’ve got to get going now, here’s my number, just in case you need to chat, or you want some advice’
‘Wow, you, you’re giving me your number? I’m speechless’
‘Don’t be, I’m being genuine, if for nothing else I really want to help other players in tough situations make the most of the time they have left in the game’. With that the man left the room.
Shortly before this conversation Miguel was having bad thoughts about his time in football, now however, there seems to be an option should his playing career be in jeopardy. As he sat back down with a smile on his face, his phone rang, and he recognised the number
‘Hello?’
‘Miguel, we need to talk’
1
