No, Junito has not announced a reversal on his all too premature retirement. He is still blissfully playing hurling, impervious to medium sized balls and nets draped over sticks. But this series ended without paying tribute to the olive-skinned and gorgeous woman behind the world’s future greatest player. And that is a tragedy which requires remedy.

First, a word on Junito’s sister. Her name is Angie. She is one year older. A few people asked – why not do a series on her? Was it male preference? Or, perhaps, there ‘sa unique bond between father & son? The only answer is painfully simplistic and practical – for the longest time, Angie showed no interest in soccer. She preferred dance. After a few soccer sessions, she would let out a loud gasp and say “No soy hombre, no tengo fuerza para esto.” I would correct her sexist assumption, but to no avail. I then realized it was an excuse to leave goals behind for plastic kitchen sets.

My own sister was and is a girlie girl, so I let it slide. But, to my delight, Angie has started to show an interest in soccer. I’m ecstatic. She has her mother’s natural two-footed grace. She also lives and breathes the Real Madrid-Barca rivalry, having remarked on a few occasions to her play friends that “Madrid is de oro, Barca es de inodoro.” Is a sequel possible? Possibly. Although Real would first need a female side.

The other lady in me and Junito’s life was also curiously absent from the series. With no good excuse. Continue reading “Junito: the Epilogue & a Tribute to the Morenita behind the Man” »