Leaving Independiente, he played in Europe, but made a change: today, he lives from his childhood passion

The year 2023 marked a turning point in the life of Adrián Calello. Earlier this year, while wearing the jersey of Quilmeshe suffered a serious knee injury, forcing him to undergo three surgeries. During the last two procedures, a bacterial infection led to inflammation of the injured area, causing persistent pain. To this ordeal was added the sad loss of his father due to thrombosis, as well as a separation from his partner. These successive events pushed him to withdraw from the Football scene, to consult a health professional and to reconsider his career in football. football.

“I haven’t made a decision yet. For now, I am focused on my family and my son who is two months old… But the door for a return is always open,” Calello told THE NATION. At 37 years old, originally from Independente and with experience in Europe, he fulfilled his dream of playing in Champions League facing big names such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Mesut Özil et Karim Benzema.

He still remembers the iconic music of the Champions League. “It was a dream come true. I consider myself privileged because many of us play football and I had this chance. I am grateful to life,” emphasized the midfielder. During his time in Europe, he faced several big teams, including a stint in the Italian Serie A.

Coming back to Argentina, after playing in clubs like Banfield, Hurricane et Quilmesthe latter experienced a decline in 2017 while being a pillar of a team that was not paid for ten months.

“This is the worst that could happen. It was a difficult time, when Quilmes was bankrupt and we had not been paid for ten months. We even had to help some of our teammates pay their rent. The public's perception of footballers as all being rich is very far from reality. Not being paid meant not being able to support your family, it was a very difficult process. The money is not arriving and the leaders are lying,” admits the midfielder, who receives daily offers from teams in First National and of First B to relaunch his career.

In good physical condition for a return, Calello divides his time between padel, his family and the world of video games. “Football requires a lot of time and energy, it's not the same now that I'm 37. Recently, I played the Copa Potrero with Leandro Paredes' team and I felt good about my playing time. I am well settled with my family and if I resume football, I would not want to travel a lot,” specifies -he.

Just like in his sporting career, Calello has been preparing since the age of 14 to become a competitiveAge of Empiresa strategy game that can be played individually or in teams.

“I started at the time of cybers. I am passionate about strategy and medieval films such as Game of Thrones et Gladiator. Today, the game is modernized, with new versions and national and international competition thanks to the growth of streaming”, explains Calello about this game launched in 1997, which remains popular.

He also adds that there are sponsors willing to pay players “well ranked”, which intensifies the competition between teams, made up of players from the same clan: “Today, I play tournaments just for fun. I have improved a lot, and although I am not the best player in Argentina, I am in the Top 10. If I practiced every day, I could level up.”

To play, Calello uses the pseudonym “Carbo” and belongs to the clan “Darkside”where he interacts with his teammates in 2vs2, 3vs3 and 4vs4 battles.

“Tournaments allow you to make tendrilsand depending on your level, sponsors come to you with dollar bonuses. Currently, I'm not doing too badly, but I also have to take into account other commitments like my training as a coach, sports director, and time with my two-year-old son. However, it’s something that I love and that I’m passionate about,” underlines the former Independente player.

At the national level, Calello specifies that a three-day tournament could bring him 600 dollars if he is crowned the winner. To participate in these events, your ELO (a score based on wins) must be equal to or greater than 2000, which marks the difference between a professional player and an amateur.

With a keen understanding of field placement, Calello was able to transfer part of his knowledge to develop combat strategies and eliminate his opponents. Like Manuel Adornithe presidential spokesperson, he shares this passion, although he admits to never having had any exchanges with him. “I never had the opportunity to meet him. I hope to have this chance one day,” he concluded.