Gracias Australia

“And that was it, my last game in the A League. My feeling was that I had arrived two days before, time flew the last 3 months and the day of the last game was right there.”

Was a Tuesday Morning the day that Andrew Nealon called me on a more than surprising phone call, to ask me join the Central Coast Mariners. Central What? To be honest, never heard about the team before because we don’t get to much information about the Australian League, but only took me 2 days to sign the contract and 4 to fly over to Sydney.

Arriving to central coast was breathtaking, great weather, beautiful beaches and restaurants, but the best of all, was the people. Everybody wants to help you and make you feel comfortable.

First week wasn’t easy at all, jet lag, get into the training mood again after a year,it was hot and players were fit after more of half of the season, but everything was worth it, I was competing again, playing games again and just few days after my debut, scoring again for a professional team, can’t describe that feeling, it’s just amazing.

A young team, not too much experience in a very competitive league, we couldn’t catch a break and the result didn’t help for our confidence but you could see the improvement of those player with so much talent but just a bunch of minutes on the top competition.

I did Clinics, meet&greets , dinners, visits to schools and all the community stuff you can think of, but every time I was in those places, I had unforgettable moments, everybody was smiling and so happy to see the players and that’s something you can’t compare with anything, the club is a Community club and that makes the big different with the rest.

Be a mentor was kind of part of the deal, try to help the young player improve and deliver all their potential but after a few talks and many mistakes on the pitch, I realize that the most important was to send a positive message and let them have those mistakes because that’s how you get better, that’s how you improve, and I can say right now that some of these player will be very important on the A League in the years to come.

I can’t thank enough all the club and Staff to help me in this adventure and understand the situation of arriving to a new club far far away of my family and be always there for anything needed, and to all the supporters to be there in every win, lose or draw, with a smile on their faces and a “come back next year” at every step a made in the country.

Thanks to all my team-mates for the respect the showed to me and the patience to hear all my stories and tips. I wish to all of you all the very best for next season.

Gracias Australia for having me, and see you soon.