The Spanish Conquest Begins!

By Dominic Vieira, writing from Nitra, Slovakia

It’s a universal dream, a global sport and an undying desire; but not every boy has the possibility to become a professional footballer. Some say it’s for the talented, others for the fortunate or for the hard workers. 

That ambition transformed into reality for Afonso Taira as he signed his first professional contract with Cordoba CF. The holding-midfielder is another product from Sporting Lisbon's prolific youth academy where he captained the under-19’s last season. However, Taira has left Portugal to start his professional career in Spain, let it begin!

Every summer thousands of players reach this stage, their youth career has terminated and in order to pursue the dream they must ‘make the jump’ which many fail to complete. In this case, Afonso Taira left a club where he grew up, a country that is his home and one which he’s represented at several international levels. Adaptation won’t be a major issue for Taira as he previously resided in Spain and speaks the language fluently. In addition, it’s right next door to Portugal. 

It was in late March 2009 during the UEFA Euro Under-17 Elite Round European Championship when his name started headlining; Taira who was wearing the number 15 jersey attracted attention linking him with a move to 6 Premier League clubs. However, nothing concrete materialized, he continued developing at Sporting, formed a midfield partnership with Benfica’s Ruben Pinto for Portugal and importantly, completing his studies at a high standard. After attaining the International Baccalaureate, he attended Faculdade de Economia da Universidade Nova de Lisboa to study business.

His career kicks-off in Cordoba, a unique Roman historical city located in Andalusia, Southern Spain. The region is highly renowned for its iconic flamenco dancing and bullfighting, but the passion for football in this country is astronomical in any stadium, especially amongst the fans. This season four Andalusian clubs will participate in La Liga: inter-city rivals Betis and Sevilla, freshly-promoted Granada and Malaga who have been dubbed as “the Manchester city of Spain”.

Cordoba CF competes in the Liga Adelante, the Spanish second division where they finished 16th with 52 points last season. Alongside them regional clubs Almeria, Recreativo and Xerez will also be fighting for a place in the top flight. However, the toughest opponents are Celta de Vigo, Deportivo de la Coruna and Real Valladolid. Taira will also be playing against Barcelona B where some of the country’s highest rated talents perform. His new home is known as “El Arcángel”, its finishing a remodelation to hold a 25,100 capacity and training takes place at the Ciudad Deportiva “Rafael Gomez”.

The standard of football will be a whole new spectrum for the Portuguese midfielder, after all it’s the first time he’ll be playing against fully grown men. It won’t be a surprise to see his physical preparations intensifying, especially as his position requires it. In Portugal he played for an elite youth team where winning was virtually second nature to the team; Cordoba’s main goal will be finishing in the top 10, this mental transition could take time or be immediate. 

Cordoba FC is a club which can project Afonso Taira into the football world, playing 90 minutes every week must be the top priority. The key for any youngster is consistent playing time and AFR is looking forward to seeing Taira performing for Los Califas. Let the adventure begin!