After nine years in England, the striker’s international career with Spain has taken off back in his homeland
Ayoze Pérez does like a nice cup of tea. One November day last season, in the hours before Real Betis played Mallorca, a friend of his had a feeling. “He said to me, ‘you’re going to score – and as the game is at tea-time, you should celebrate by drinking one’,” the former Newcastle United and Leicester forward explained. “I thought: ‘well, at least it’s original’. It’s something fun, different.” Something his too, a challenge to be met. And so there he was a little after half past five lifting a cup to his lips, the year of his life underway.
Almost exactly twelve months on, it came to an end that was premature just when it looked like it would be perfect. Nothing though will take 2024 from him, or the decade that took him there, Ayoze’s long journey home. And at least he did get home, if only for a little while. That November day, Ayoze met the challenge, raising a cup and saucer in celebration. The next week, in the derby, he did it again. Then again and again. Seven more times last season and ten this, in just nine games. He did it the first time he played for Spain and the last time as well, in Copenhagen on Friday, success measured in tea: a symbol of a journey which brought him back to where it all began, in front of his people.
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Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/football/2024/nov/17/ayoze-perez-i-saw-my-name-on-the-euros-list-there-was-shock-then-immense-happiness
Author : Sid Lowe in Madrid
Publish date : 2024-11-17 23:19:37
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