Hindsight and boyish repentance for chasing after petro-dollars

Gabri Veiga is at such an age when he thinks that no one knows better than him, that every decision he makes will be the right one. And, the reality is actually different and quite cruel. If he had been open to listening, if he had asked for the advice of more experienced players, those who have won trophies and made a serious name, he would not have come to a situation where a good part of the football world looks at him with contempt. He made the wrong move, he chose a bad moment.

Gabri Vega charmed everyone on the Iberian Peninsula, he even caught the eye of Pep Guardiola, which speaks volumes for the kind of talent he is. But, on the threshold of 21 years, he was not patient, he did not want to wait and build a career in Europe, he was more tempted by petro-dollars and the status of a star in the Saudi desert, and all the luxury that comes with moving to one of the clubs from the Middle East. Where numerous stars rushed at the fall of their careers, Celta's prodigy took that path at the beginning of his. He ran for money and - he repented.

While it was clear to everyone that Middle-Eastern culture or anything else that could be cited did not make Gabri Vaiga choose Al Ahli over Manchester City, Napoli or one of Spain's top clubs, the young Spanish midfielder denied that money blinded him. When he stepped into the desert - he was proud and happy about the choice he made.

"Well, I find that question very strange. I will tell you directly - no. I understand that everyone has an opinion, their own way of thinking and making decisions, but there were other reasons that ruled and I am very proud of the step I took", said Gabri Veiga after arriving in the Middle East.

The situation quickly turned away from his favor.

The boyish joy is gone, the smile is gone. The promised land is not exactly promised. Not what he was hoping for. The financial security it offers is second to none, but one of Spain's most talented footballers didn't get what he expected. More precisely, Al Ahli did not meet his expectations.

Hence the news that Celta launched an operation to bring Gabri Veiga back. The guy who took his first football steps on Estadio de Balaidos could be back in Europe faster than he hoped, back at the starting point, the place where he worked his magic with every touch of the ball.

The club from Vigo sold him for 30,000,000 euros, but they got only 6,000,000 straight away. The rest goes through installments, and a part of the claim could be offset through the loan, so Gabri Veiga will spend the next six months in Galicia. And then he might finally catch Luis de la Fuente's eye, because he hasn't until now.

The great Spanish talent is still without a debut for the national team, many others have 'pushed themselves over the line.' But it's his own fault, he chose to go to Saudi Arabia at the age of 20 in the summer for easy money and play lower-level football. And what's even worse - he doesn't even play. He collected only 689 minutes in the Al Ahli shirt and scored only one goal. No wonder there are no calls from De La Fuente after all.

And if he had only listened to the reactions of people who are synonymous with trophies, those who have a work ethic in their blood and who work with the ball in their feet for a decade and longer in the strongest European clubs and still do not think that they play football recreationally, everything would be fine for him.

"Shame," Toni Kroos wrote when it was announced that Gabri Veiga would end up in the Middle East. Fatherly or brotherly advice would be: Son, that's not how you do it. But, there were others who patted the young Spaniard on the back, assured him that there was nothing wrong with going after the money.

Rafa Benitez was one of those birds that pecked at the head of the boy who, with two goals against Barcelona, ensured Celta's survival in the Primera Division. He justified his move, and soon he could get it back. If Benitez stays on the bench of the club from Galicia until then...

"The transfer to Al Ahli will change Gabri Veiga's life in a positive way. It hurts, but it will also help our club financially. Go to Saudi Arabia at 20? It's not a place just for old players... For me, Carrasco played in China, then he came back and is currently playing in the Champions League".

Celta did not want to sell Gabri Veiga under any conditions last summer, however, club president Carlos Mourino knew what would happen: "They will buy him". And they did.

And Gabri was wrong to go down that path. He will learn the hard way, but as the first man of the team from the north of Spain said, the door of Balaidos will always be open for the boy, whose talent is not far behind Pedri, Gavi and other Barcelona wonderboys.

If he does walk through that door in the upcoming transfer window, he'll do it with a sour smile on his face. Only through rehabilitation in Europe can he reach the EURO 2024 Spain squad and get that invite from Luis de la Fuente.

If the Balaidos club fails to convince the club from Jeddah, or if, despite returning to his natural habitat, he is not on the list for the European Championship in Germany - hardly anyone will feel sorry for Gabri Veiga. He will serve well as an example to his peers - a negative one.

Because money is clearly not everything...