Portugal broke my heart
Here it is. The answer to what you’ve all been asking yourselves. Why am I back home? Mmm, I’d be curious too, if I saw someone “living their best life” in a beautiful country and then they abruptly came home.
The reason I choose to share this information with you all is because I know everyone was cheering for me. Trust me, I was cheering for me, too.
FYI I’m only going to gloss over this. You couldn’t possibly think I was going to disclose all the juicy information in one blog, right? You’ll have to tune in to the podcast (stay posted here, or on my IG and FB).
After my rollercoaster of a season in Hungary (also TBD in a podcast), I took a few months back home to re-coop, and build myself up again - mentally and physically. I was THRILLED to sign with my agent Chris (Joga Sports Group). Small chat about Chris; he’s the best male communicator I have ever encountered. Yeah, I said best. If he doesn’t respond within two hours, something is UP. From start to finish, Chris was extremely informative, honest, upfront, loyal, and encouraging. I would recommend Chris to anyone.
I spent a total of four weeks in Porto, Portugal. If you don’t know what this place looks like - envision a romantic city (let’s toy with the idea of Paris), and throw it on the water. Now make it extremely affordable. Make it friendly. Make the temperature perfect. Make it home-y. So you get it now, it was a great place to be.
Now imagine you worked your ass off for this “year” contract. Yeah, I was meant to be there for a whole year (June 2022).
Back to setting the scene - I was content with my contract. I was excited to be in PORTUGAL. I was close to my Spanish grandmother I hardly get to see. Even though I was only there for a few weeks, I was already making great friendships and getting along with my teammates. They were extremely welcoming and hospitable and inclusive. I was already becoming a “regular” at our corner coffee shop, and a restaurant in town. The heartache goes on. Side note, I’m glad I’m writing about this 3 months later, because it no longer hurts to talk about.
So you get it, I was loving life. I was playing some of my best footy, and getting positive, constructive feedback, too.
Then I received a random call from my agent about an hour before practice. It went something like this, “hey, just know that this is not your fault at all.” And I’m not kidding when I tell you I shit my heart out. I didn’t even need to hear what was said next, I knew. In short: it’s a simple business transaction. In long: they slapped me in the face. tune in to podcast.
So that’s the extent of what I will share with you all here. You’ll have to listen to my podcast (coming out soon if I can kick myself in the ass to do it) to find out details regarding: how I got home, what happened before I left, what happened after I left, how I dealt with being home, what my plans are now.
For God’s sake don’t ask me if I’m going abroad again. If I had a dollar every time someone asked me why I was home or when I’m going to play abroad again, I’d probably make more than my monthly soccer pay (ha - you laugh, but i’m low-key serious).
Love you all!
xoxo,
Not_porto_chevs