Inspirational Stuff From Julio González Ferreira

Remember when Paraguayan striker Julio Ferreira González had his left arm amputated following a car accident in December 2005? “Call it madness,” he said, “but in the corner of my mind I still have a crazy notion that one day I’ll be able to play again!” Now that crazy notion is a reality. González returned to training with Vicenza but didn’t feature in Serie B, so once his contract expired González returned home and signed for Paraguayan club Tacuary. Last night he made his long awaited return to professional football, playing about 60 minutes of Tacuray’s 1-1 draw with Olimpia in the Paraguayan Clausura.

The 26 year old striker - who plays without his prosthetic left arm - was obviously happy to be back on the field.

“I will never forget today,” González told the Asuncion daily ABC Color. “I played again after the accident and everything went well.
“I think I did everything the right way. I played on equal terms everything else and I even went in a bit hard on (Roberto) Bonet.
“I want them to treat me the same way as any other player, I want them to mark me and kick me because I’m going to play that way.”

I find this particularly inspiring because so many players talk big about making comebacks (I’m looking at you Stanley Victor Collymore) only to give it up without really trying. González had a more convincing excuse then most to hang up his boots and could easily have gone that route after his Vicenza contract expired. But he didn’t, and I can only imagine the amount of hard work it’s taken to get back into playing shape. So good luck to González, and here’s looking forward to his first goal.

Category: South America, World Football

Tags: Julio Ferreira González, Paraguay, South America, Tacuray, World Football

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