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A fresh start
Former Al Ahli player says he is not bitter about being dropped andis looking forward to a new future with Al Shabab.
- By Alaric Gomes, Senior Reporter
- Published: 22:59 September 12, 2008
Dubai: He is unassuming, not very articulate due to the language barrier, and he is hurt due to the manner in which he has been treated by his former club Al Ahli.
"I am a professional," shrugs the soft-spoken Marcos dos Santos Assuncao.
"My job is to talk less and let my game do the talking," he says with a smile.
Assuncao has seen the better part of life as a football professional, be it with the Brazilian national team between 1998 to 2000 or during the eight years that he has spent with some of the top European clubs such AS Roma and Real Betis, where he spent a fruitful five years.
But the lure of the Middle East landed him in Al Ahli last season.
Assuncao served the Red Devils well, guiding them to the President's Cup title last season. He was in the thick of it all as Al Ahli chased a rare double.
Pressure
However, they buckled under pressure and three drawn encounters towards the end dashed their hopes. Assuncao went on holiday to Brazil, but with a verbal assurance Al Ahli also needed him for the next year.
And that is when things began happening. Just before returning to Dubai, he learnt he was no longer wanted by the same club who had made him a gentleman's promise.
"What could I do? I felt hurt, but I also knew that life had to go on," Assuncao states.
But not everything was lost. Al Shabab's shrewd Brazilian coach Toninho Cerezo willingly grabbed him, and neither are unhappy with the way things have worked out.
"At Al Ahli, the president went on insisting that I was very much needed for the team. And then, there was silence. Not even a phone call to say that they did not need me," Assuncao said.
But Assuncao has put the past behind him.
"I want life to go on. I have been lucky and I am happy I am here with Al Shabab. I want to put the past behind me and take a new step in the right direction," he said.
That one experience with Al Ahli has given Assuncao even more resolve to perform as a professional.
"Playing football is my job, and playing good football is my duty. I owe it to my team, my club and our fans," says the 32-year-old.
Al Shabab meet Assuncao's old club Al Ahli in their Super Cup encounter tomorrow and this is one match he is eagerly looking forward to.
"It is an important match for me as I need to do my best in return for what Al Shabab has done for me," Assuncao said.
Chosen as team captain
Some men are born great, while others have greatness thrust upon them. It looks like Marcos Assuncao falls in the latter category as he has been chosen to wear the captain's arm band for Al Shabab this season.
It all happened during one of the friendly matches Al Shabab played during their three-week training stint in Italy last month. "We were about to kick off, when Salem [Sa'ad] came up to me and put the captain's band on my arm," Assuncao recalls.
"It is nice to be the captain as I can be of help in leading the players while on the field," Assuncao says.
"There is no great secret to achieve success as a captain. I just want to be a thorough professional, both on and off the field. In that way I will end up as an example for the other members of the team," he adds.
"I respect all my teammates and I am willing to give of my best for Al Shabab," he added.
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