Tired of modern football? For anyone looking for a story to restore their faith, the unlikely case of newly minted Spain international Jaime Mata should help.In his mid 20s, the striker was still only semi-pro, and a series of near-misses suggesting he was destined for no more than languishing in the lower leagues. Yet on Saturday, he stepped out in a Spain shirt at the Mestalla at the ripe old age of 30.Proof that with hard work, its never too late to get your break.3
View this post on Instagram 23319 Internacional absoluto espaol Victoria A post shared by Jaime Mata Arnaiz (@mata_jaime9) onIts easy to see why Mata had little cause for optimism: with Lleida he had twice cruelly missed out on promotion to the second division at the play-off stage (setbacks are a recurring theme in his career).Far from the glamour of La Liga, in the Spanish third tier there is no money of note. Not getting any younger and seemingly not going to make it as a pro, switching to a different career with a steady income must have looked very tempting at that moment in time. Then Girona came calling: I had the chance to be a professional, and that was absolutely crazy for me. I thought, maybe I can keep doing this for a bit longer?.Alsina, the man who signed him, didnt last long at Montilivi, but the sporting directors punt on a lower-league striker marked the start of a domino effect that has carried on all the way to the very top. In the more immediate future, Mata would have an impact at Girona too, twice finishing as one of their top scorers as the Catalans made it to the play-offs for promotion to La Liga, only to yes, you guessed it fall at the final hurdle on two occasions.
View this post on Instagram Da de derbi A post shared by Jaime Mata Arnaiz (@mata_jaime9) onLike with Lleida, two times with Girona was too many, and instead of sticking around for what seemed like more disappointment at Montilivi, the forward moved to Valladolid in the summer of 2016. The cruel irony? At the end of that season Girona were finally promoted to La Liga for the first time in the clubs history. Valladolid finished seventh. Just imagine how Mata felt then.
View this post on Instagram Paso a paso, golpe a golpe, asalto a asalto! Gameday A post shared by Jaime Mata Arnaiz (@mata_jaime9) onBut what followed was the most pivotal season in Matas career. While at Girona his talent was obvious, so too was his inconsistency: in two seasons of more than 40 games he scored only 21 goals, both capable of exciting periods of brilliance then frustratingly long dry spells.It wasnt form that suggested La Liga level regularity in front of goal. Nor was his first year at Valladolid, when he only managed five strikes in the league, and often ended games as an unused substitute.No one could have predicted what would happen next. In the 2017/18 season Mata morphed into the epitome of what the Spanish call a killer, a pure goalscorer. It felt like every shot he took ended up in the net: with 35 strikes including two in the play-offs, he was the key figure in taking Valladolid back to La Liga for the first time in five years. His numbers were so good it was the second best all-time goalscoring return for a striker in the Segunda, only bettered by Sporting Gijon forward Ricardos 46 in 1956/57.3
View this post on Instagram Gran trabajo, gran victoria!A post shared by Jaime Mata Arnaiz (@mata_jaime9) onIncredibly, Madrids least fashionable side are in fourth place and only 10 games away from qualifying for the Champions League for the first time ever. Mata, their top scorer who has turned half-chances into goals, and assisted seven for his teammates, is a huge part of that. No one really believes Getafe can do it, but then no one believed Mata could either.He is only the third Getafe player ever to be called up for Spain, evidence of just how exceptional a story it is for him to even be there alongside the likes of Sergio Ramos and Jordi Alba, let alone to make his debut as he did against Norway.3
Tottenham Hotspur supporters can make the difference against Newcastle United and Leicester City, according to Ledley King. The Lilywhites enter the final few days on the Premier League season in the knowledge that they could finish anywhere between second and fifth depending on if other results go their way.
Wayne Hennessey latest: Crystal Palace goalkeeper charged by Football Association for bringing game into disrepute over alleged Nazi salute. been charged by the Football Association with a
Wayne Hennessey: Crystal Palace goalkeeper charged for
Olivier Giroud admits his future at Chelsea looks uncertain following the arrival of Gonzalo Higuain. Higuain has joined Chelsea on loan from Juventus, and will help the void left by Alvaro Morata
Giroud: Higuain arrival at Chelsea makes my future bleaker
Cesc Fabregas reveals Chelsea frustration: 'I know my role, it's just not the one I want' The Spanish playmaker is not happy with his bit-part role under manager Maurizio Sarri By Joe Moore
Cesc Fabregas says it's 'too early' to talk about leaving
News Corp is a network of leading companies in the worlds of diversified media, news, education, and information services. Man Utd and Barca 'in talks over Rashford transfer' with £88m starting
Manchester United defender Chris Smalling has backed the appointment of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as permanent manager. Solskjaer was named full-time boss on Thursday morning after a successful spell
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer appointed Manchester United permanent
Premier League strugglers Fulham axe Ranieri, Scott Parker named interim manager "Claudio's tenure at Fulham didn't produce the outcome we anticipated and needed when I appointed him as
Claudio Ranieri set for sack as Fulham boss after Southampton
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino says the club have been vindicated in their decision to move into their new stadium this season after they enjoyed a historic homecoming. Spurs finally got to
Six uncapped players named in Ireland squad for New Zealand
Tottenham news: Spurs 'eye Massimiliano Allegri' as Juventus 'chase
Ozil might be in Arsenal comfort zone, says Wenger Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has suggested out of favour Mesut Ozil could have lost motivation after signing a new contract.
£100m Mesut Ozil in his 'comfort zone' after signing
Liverpool are reportedly ready to enter the race to sign their former attacker Suso from AC Milan, according to Italian outlet Tuttomercatoweb. The Reds will enter a battle with Premier League rivals Arsenal and Tottenham to land the player who has a release clause of £33 million .
Jack Grealish: Birmingham City fan Paul Mitchell jailed for 14 weeks for assault on Aston Villa star during derby clash The 27-year-old pub worker ran onto the pitch during the Championship clash
Jack Grealish: Birmingham City fan jailed for pitch attack
No comments:
Post a Comment