A few days ago, I moved back to Europe to play in Finland with Gnistan.
After spending the last four years playing in the United States, Mexico and Indonesia, I felt it was the right time to return to Europe and, especially, to the Nordic countries. Football is steadily growing here, and there is also a level of stability that can sometimes be difficult to find in other parts of the world.
It’s an exciting challenge to be back in the Veikkausliiga and to join Gnistan, a club based in the north of Helsinki that has been improving year after year. After only three seasons at the Finnish top level, the club now has the opportunity to fight for a European spot next season.
For me, it’s also a short but exciting challenge: three months to contribute, compete and hopefully help the team achieve something special.
Finland was the place that allowed me to develop and grow as a player. Between 2020 and 2022, I spent three seasons here with three different clubs: KTP Kotka, AC Oulu and Inter Turku.
I started in the second division, and every year I had the opportunity to take another step forward. Eventually, I reached the Veikkausliiga, competed in cup finals and played Conference League qualifiers with Inter Turku.
If everything goes well, this weekend I could play my 100th official game in Finland.
I’m probably entering the later years of my career now, and what motivates me has changed compared to a few years ago.
I’m more interested in long-term projects, good coaching, helping young players develop, being surrounded by good people and feeling that I can contribute to something bigger than myself. Experience gives you a different perspective on what really matters.
And football moves fast.
One week ago, I was in Uruguay scouting players. On Friday 14th, I was flying from Montevideo to Helsinki. And on Monday 17th, I was already on the pitch, playing in a very tight 3-2 game against Ilves.
Many people think that I’m already retired because I do other things outside of playing. There is still this idea that footballers should only focus on playing, stay quiet and avoid talking about anything else, give boring press conferences when they are asked and live like if they are not normal people. As if having other interests or building something beyond your playing career means that you are less committed.
Another one of those myths in football.
A footballer is much more than the few minutes you see him on the pitch every weekend and his performances. And having passions, projects and opinions outside the game doesn’t mean you are any less committed to what happens on it.
🔝 L’èxit de la generació del 1996
🏆 A Binissalem, la selecció balear cadet (sub-16) es va proclamar campiona d’Espanya (2012)
👏🏻 Pel camí va eliminar seleccions amb futurs jugadors d’elit: Rodri, Adama Traoré, Aarón Martín o Asier Villalibre.
👀 A aquella selecció trobam jugadors com Marco Asensio, Miquel Parera, Damià Sabater, Pep Vidal...
Suena 'O surdato 'nnammurato. Canción del 1915 sobre un soldado camino de la guerra llorando pues se despide de su amor. Un himno napolitano que suena en el estadio.
Lamentam la pèrdua de Paco Galmés, històric mallorquinista vinculat al club des dels anys vuitanta i president del futbol base del RCD Mallorca.
El nostre condol a familiars i amics. Sempre en el nostre cor, Paco ❤️🖤
Tremendo, el portero del filial del Genk, Brent Stevens, celebró parar un penalti con la afición del equipo contrario.
Brent perdió a su padre recientemente.
Lo llaman fútbol.
🇩🇴 Atlético Pantoja 1-1 Atlántico:
Empate fuera de casa en la sexta jornada de la Copa de la República Dominicana para Adrián Salcedo, Adrián Batista y Junior Román (⚽).
📚 “Jugar con Sentido” ya está a la venta.
Cuando comencé a escribir este libro, mi intención era plasmar ideas y conocimientos, pero pronto entendí que el valor de este proceso no está en escribir lo que uno conoce, sino en cuestionarlo.
Aquello que en su momento escribí con certeza, hoy lo pongo en duda o quizás ya no me parezca tan relevante. Sin pretenderlo, el libro cobró sentido, de ahí su título. “Jugar con sentido” no pretende establecer verdades absolutas en un juego tan complejo, sino invitar a la reflexión.
Gracias al editorial @McSportsSocial por hacerlo posible.
Podeis conseguir el libro en nuestra página web: https://t.co/zAkYSFMpkh
Para envíos fuera de España: https://t.co/xKxLQG7Kmk
También disponible en otras librerías especializadas como Librería deportiva Esteban Sanz (Madrid), La Casa del Libro o Amazon.
🇬🇧 I’m also working on the English translation. Hopefully, it will be ready soon!
Fichajes anunciados por @FAtlantico :
DT-Gabriel Garcia Xatart-Español
Adrián Batista-Dominicano Español-Extremo
Junior Román Tombini-Español-Defensa Central
Jacob Tarasenko-Croata-Delantero
Alfeni Tamárez-Dominicano-Defensa Central
Marchelor Alcenat-Haitiano-Defensa Central
Miguel Ángel Silverio-Dominicano-Defensa
Gabriel Brugal-Dominicano-Mediocampista
Deny Louis-Dominicano-Defensa
Yeshua Perdomo-Dominicano-Mediocampista
Adrián Salcedo-Dominicano Español-Mediocampista
#AltasBajasRenovacionesLDF2025
Nace una nueva forma de vivir el fútbol🚀
➡️Hoy damos vida a un proyecto que transformará la manera de entender y disfrutar este deporte. No es solo fútbol, es una comunidad donde conocimiento, pasión y compromiso se unen para aportar valor a cada miembro.(1/4)
Aquí está Fermín López a 50 días de cumplir los 16 años pasando a la etapa juvenil y con un físico casi de alevín.
En tiempos difíciles confiaron en él, lo mantuvieron y hoy triunfa en la élite.
Me he quedado pegado a la televisión viendo la entrevista @nh487 en @LaRevuelta_TVE.
Que necesario es dar voz, y hablar de lo que nadie habla. Esto se llama servicio público.
Y sí, pese a los negacionistas, sin ciencia NO HAY FUTURO.
#LaRevuelta