The Unknown Champion by Rui Marques

Author:Rui Marques
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Pitch Publishing
Published: 2019-06-15T00:00:00+00:00

15

ESTORIL PRAIA 2014/15

(second season)

I watched the 2014 World Cup while waiting for the start of my second season at Estoril in August. Pedro hinted that I would continue, and I was to be paid now, but I had to wait for the budget decisions for confirmation. I don’t remember for sure, but I think I had asked for €300 per month to continue, but if they offered me less I would still accept.

Then out of the blue, I received an email from Pedro that hit me like a ton of bricks! He said that they couldn’t fulfil my request for payment and that my time at Estoril was over. To help you understand the impact this had on me, I can remember exactly where I was when I read it – I was in the Paço de Arcos health centre and I think my son was having a vaccination that day – I told my wife the news and I remember the disappointment. So, what now? I had no plan B, I had spent the last couple of months thinking that staying at Estoril was the best option for me and that I was going to get the financial reward I deserved. I felt used. When I gave my best and worked very hard at fantasy football, I always managed to achieve results, but it felt like in real football my prize was to be kicked out. I tried to stay calm and not lose my cool. It was difficult, but I managed to find some positives in the situation. I told Pedro that I was very disappointed with the decision but asked him for two things: to add a positive recommendation for me on LinkedIn and to authorise me to write an email to Mário Branco telling my story and asking for advice. My requests were accepted. Pedro wrote me a nice recommendation and I wrote to Mário.

I held my head high and started looking for a new job. I told the whole story to Kerry Zavagnin, the assistant coach at Sporting Kansas City, who promptly answered me, suggesting that maybe it was a good time for me to fly to Kansas City and meet the club! I decided to go; it was my best chance to find a new club, so I had to take the risk. I planned a trip at the beginning of October, and I still had a few days’ leave to take from my full-time job.

However, there was another twist in the tale. I was at home after a usual day at work in August, and I realised that I had left my mobile phone in the car – something I never did. When I picked it up, I noticed that I had a number of unanswered calls from Pedro Bessa. I had a feeling it might be something good. And, yes, I was right! He said that they could pay me €200 a month and I accepted it – although I thought the amount was still less than I deserved.

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