“I’ve been thinking about it for a few weeks and I told the club on Saturday. My agent, my wife and my parents know about it. Even my friends don’t know about it. The decision is very clear to me , I have no doubt.”
This is how Ibai Gómez explained yesterday his decision to hang up his boots at a professional level, although his goal is to stay connected to the world of football and even as soon as possible to defend the shirt of Santutxu, the team from his neighborhood. At 32 years old, the Bilbao striker gave reasons for his decision surrounded by all his teammates and Dépor’s own technical staff
“I feel proud and at peace with the decision I made. Because just now? Because my head and heart ask me. At another stage I will wait for the winter market, but I have no intention of changing teams or continuing to play professionally”, explained Ibai.
The man from Santutxutarra, who arrived at the club from A Coruña last summer after a short time in Iran, clarified that “I was looking forward to it, excited, and I contacted Dépor, who made me happy. This was a good challenge, I came with all the desire and enthusiasm in the world. I did everything to be there and contribute, but it was clear to me that as soon as I saw that I was not going to contribute, especially on the pitch, and that my teammates may doubt that I am positive, I step aside because I am not here to make money but for a good challenge”.
Ibai indicated that two weeks ago he realized that his time had come to say goodbye to professional football as a player: “I chose to be realistic and consistent because I saw my role in the team, after changing coach, will be reduced. In addition, I have had a baby for several months and I have seen him for nine days and that is what made me decide now.
going to the bench
Ibai Gómez revealed that his future now lies in being a coach and first playing for Santutxu: “This is the club where I grew up and the coach I had in my first year as a senior and my father as president was still there.”
Regarding Deportivo, who currently play in the First RFEF, the Bilbao-born player said that “the way the club works, the coaching staff, the players are brutal… There is a lot of desire to achieve goals. There is only one thing lack and I know it’s complicated because the club and the people are many years old, but when everyone comes together, when people trust the players, the coaching staff and the sports management, it will happen. I think everything is perfect for it to happen this year”.
Source: La Verdad
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
