Now playing in the Champions League! Keilat striker: Relegated from Portugal 2 years ago, his salary is too low and he looks for a job again

September 3rd News After Kazakhstan's Almaty Keilat entered the Champions League with a historic breakthrough, the team's Portuguese striker Jorginho Montero was interviewed by The Globe. He admitted that football had made him unsustainable two years ago. He chose to join a quality inspection company, and two years later he will appear in the Champions League.

How did the fans react after entering the Champions League?

Montero: "Unlike the Portuguese fans who hoped that their arch-rivals would lose, the whole country supports us. When we went to the restaurant after the game, fans who met Keirat's arch-rivals came from other cities to celebrate us. The traffic of whistling on the street and the yellow flags waving beside the road are like the scene when Portugal won the European Cup."

Your career trajectory is unique and motivating. Two years ago, you played in the fourth-level league in Portugal. Now you are on the Champions League again after moving to Luxembourg. How did this happen?

Mentello: "When Pervidem was relegated from Portugal's Second Division, I was forced to make a choice at the age of 25 because I was unable to survive and my salary was not enough to make people live. So I decided to find a job in the year of relegation. At that time, football was no longer a priority. I remember that the preseason was scheduled in the morning, but I was directly absent because I had to work."

What job do I do?

Mentello: "I was in Braga, and I joined the company through labor outsourcing. Interestingly, in May when the company notified me to become a regular, I received an invitation from the Luxembourg team. In the first season, we made history, won the top league championship for the first time, and then participated in the European qualifying round... After that, I continued to perform steadily in the league, and finally attracted the Kerat team. What's left is a well-known story."

In other words, you chose Kazakhstan without hesitation?

Montelo: "Of course. My grandma was worried about the bomb attack at that time (laughs), but in fact it is safer than Portugal."

The team has a Portuguese compatriot Luis Mata...

Montelo: "That's right. Each team is limited to 12 foreign players, and the club prefers to have two players for each nationality."

What are your expectations for the Champions League?

Mentello: "Our goal is to at least enter the playoffs. Although it is the weakest team, I went to Anfield not to celebrate the goal after losing 0-7."