Spaniard packs plenty of experience

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This article was published 15/08/2019 (1727 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

José Galán is only 33, but his passport is filled with more stamps than most people will collect in their lives.

He’s played professional soccer in Finland, Austria, Thailand, Hong Kong and Indonesia — just to name a few. 

Now, he’s playing for Valour FC — and he couldn’t be happier. 

“To be honest, I’m a person who always wants more. I’m very ambitious, you could say. So sometimes I could stay longer in one place, but then I say, ‘How about another place, maybe that’s better.’ It’s that willing of always wanting to improve,” Galán said.  

Most recently, Galán spent a year playing in Saudi Arabia for Al-Jabalain FC. While playing in the Middle East is an experience he’s thankful for, living there was definitely a culture shock for the Spain-born soccer player.

“Living in Saudi Arabia, especially for my wife, was not that easy, you know? Because you have to be covered, it’s a completely different culture. I feel like here (Winnipeg), it’s more like in Europe, like in Spain, right? Maybe not the weather, but so far yes, I’m liking it.” 

Galán’s wife, Paloma, arrived in Winnipeg just a few days ago, but they’ve already had a chance to explore The Forks, downtown Winnipeg and enjoy some time out in the sun. 

“When I told her, ‘Oh, Manitoba has northern lights,’ she said, ‘OK, choose that place, we have to go.’” 

While Galán has had a fantastic career thus far playing with teams across the world, he said he’s excited to settle down in Winnipeg after having signed a multi-year contract with Valour. 

During the off-season this year, the midfielder plans to experience his first full Canadian winter. 

“Since the first moment, I’ve felt something different,” he said. “Canada, for me, is a big surprise. I’m very impressed, especially the people, you are very friendly. I’m excited to be here, so happy to sign for Valour. Not just the players, all the staff and people who work for the club are good people,” Galán said. 

“I love to play soccer. To me, to play so often, I love that. The guys are saying that since we arrived at this second leg, we are playing better, and I feel the team is improving. What I love from all of my team is that nobody gave up even if the results before were not good, so I’m very happy.” 

Cyprus, Jordan and Romania are other places Galán has moved to for soccer.

The time in each country has allowed him to learn new languages and experience new cultures, while growing both as a player and a person. 

“One thing I don’t like about that is that people may think, ‘Oh, this guy is on holidays because he’s travelled the world to play.’ But everywhere I went to play, I played. I played games, I was very competitive, I had a team, so that’s a thing. Plus, I’m 33 and still playing a professional level, so that means something, huh? Of course, not just here for the holidays,” Galán said.

When asked what his favourite memory was during his time playing abroad, Galán didn’t skip a beat. 

While playing in Saudi Arabia, Galán’s team was taking a 10-hour road trip during Ramadan.

Galán and his Spanish teammate were dying for a cup of water, but decided to honour and respect the majority of the team’s Muslim customs by not drinking while it was daylight outside. 

About four hours into the trip, the whole team hopped off the bus, packed into a gas station and started guzzling back water. Turns out, during long-distance travel during Ramadan, water is allowed.

“Me and my teammate look and each other and go, ‘Come on! We were waiting for five hours, almost dead here in the bus and now you’re drinking?’ They all laugh and are like, ‘Yes, yes, you can drink!’ We just started to laugh. We didn’t know, but now we know. That’s the one thing I really like wherever I go, I like to follow the culture of the country to respect. The people in those countries appreciate that you respect their culture — and their religion, in that case.” 

devon.shewchuk@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter:@devonshewchuk