Bengaluru FC’s Miku has been one of the most lethal strikers in the fourth edition of the Indian Super League (ISL). In 19 matches, the 32-year-old has netted 14 goals which helped the JSW-owned outfit finish the league stage at the top of the standings with 40 points.
Not many know that the Venezuelan forward has made it big in his career after coming from not so humble beginnings. His father parted ways with the family when he was three and his mother had to take up two jobs in order to ensure that the kids didn’t stay hungry. In fact, a young Miku would go to school in the morning, play football in the afternoon and take up a job for a brief period for sustenance.
Miku believes that having gone through the turmoil at an early age, it has helped him value things and appreciate it even more.
“It (humble beginnings) helps to know and understand that the effort and sacrifice is rewarded. (It also helps) you to give value to the things I have achieved in my career and in my life,” he told Goal.
Miku along with his mother visited his uncle in Sueca which is the Valencia region of Spain when he was 15. One of his friends had another acquaintance in Villarreal and while the Yellow Submarines did show their interest in the striker, they wanted to sign him only after a year.
“It's a long story, but thanks to my uncle and in part it was due to his help that my career started. The city of Valencia and the Valencia CF team, I always carry them in my heart because they trusted me when nobody did. I fulfilled the dream of playing in the First Division of Spain with them which was a pleasure and an honour,” he reminisced.
It almost two years back that Miku was named LaLiga Player of the Month ahead of the likes of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo for his feat of scoring in four consecutive games for Rayo Vallecano.Now Miku finds himself on the brink of winning the Indian Super League (ISL) title with Bengaluru FC in India.
On being asked as to how has his life changed, Miku replied philosophically, “It has been a great change and difficult to assimilate. I always stay with a positive (attitude), (want to) know other cultures, another country. In future I have more things to know and more places to play.”
Every time Miku scores a goal you get to see his iconic celebration where he cups his ears with his hands. Miku shared the reason for his intriguing gesture after scoring a goal.
“The famous celebration is for my daughters who this year have been away from me and for me it has been very hard and difficult in the mental aspect to be without them. It is something that I will not do anymore in my career,” he mentioned.