CHARLES D’SOUZA
MARGAO
Promising young footballer Mark Baretto’s dream of playing in Spain for Catalonina side Palamos CF’s U-19 team as early as September this year hangs in balance as he awaits his visa formalities to fall in place.
“There is not a single day that I regret choosing football. I am happy that I chose football and look where I am today. I am proud to get an opportunity to play with this Spanish based club-- that is what any athlete would ask for,” Baretto, a Sesa Goa Academy product quips.
Football has defined Mark Baretto’s life so much so that the striker says, “I even dream about football when I sleep.”
It was his family who taught him to dream of football. “My father is a autoricksaw driver and mother is a school attendant but that did not stop me from playing football and they keep me going through tough times. I am also thankful to Sesa Academy Technical Spanish Director Eduard Batlle Basart, who has formerly worked for Manchester United Academy and FC Barcelona Academy for the push. The Spanish coach directly chose me when I was playing for this academy,” added Baretto, about how he was scouted to play for the Spanish club.
“Balancing studies and the sport was challenging,” he adds.
He may have come a long way in representing the State in the BC Roy Trophy, U-14 and U-17 Subroto Mukherjee inter-school football tournament for Prioress HS, Sanquelim and Fr Agnel HSS, Verna.
Recalling his experience in football, he said: “I did not expect that call and I was delighted to be part of the tournament. The call couldn’t have come at a better time and it helped me in preparing for the challenges ahead. After graduating from this academy, this was unexpected for me (his move to Spain). I never thought of this. After coming out of this academy, I just thought of playing for any professional club. I just want to thank God for giving me this wonderful opportunity and also Spanish coach Eduard, Former Coaches -- Ajay Acharya, Charles Dias, Joao D’Mello and the other staff. Sir Eduardo came like an angel and took me to Spain,” said Baretto.
“My dream would be to represent India and play for FC Goa,” he concluded.
