2025-08-22, 06:50 AM - Word count:
Thailand was quite an adventure, and was a year that Sandro enjoyed to the fullest. Experiencing a new culture, new teammates, and new success as a professional footballer. Sandro knew that he would certainly look back at his two year foray into the eastern hemisphere as a positive experience, but for now his focus was squarely on his future as he stepped off the private jet that had taken him back to Latin America for the first time since he left.
This move had not been like the last two. Rushed, disjointed, or under-researched. Sandro now had people to arrange these things for him, and they coordinated with the people at CD Tenochtitlan to make sure everything was taken care of before his arrival. The private driver met him directly at the plane and took him directly to his new house, or should I say mansion, where he could prepare to visit the CDT facilities for the first time later in the day.
When he arrived, he was shocked. It was like something out of the movies. He’d signed off on the purchase and seen the images, but he couldn’t have been prepared for experiencing such luxuries in person. His own private paradise separated from the city behind towering walls. Inside he was greeted by his butler. In Thailand his building was luxurious and he had access to 24/7 concierge service, but this was a whole new experience. He had a staff of servants. He wasn’t sure if he was comfortable with it, but his agent assured him that it was normal in Mexico City and that he was expected to have a staff to keep his house in order. It just felt strange as a 20 year old kid to be barking orders.
As he ascended to the master bedroom, he found the entire house furnished and even decorated in his past achievements. He peeked in the closet and found an entire wardrobe of clothes, both casual and formal attire, waiting for him. He knew that he was expected at the Tenochtitlan HQ soon, so he decided to shower off the cross-world flight before choosing an outfit with the blend of professional and casual that he felt would be appropriate. He walked back downstairs where they had his table set for him already with a private chef prepared meal, both delicious and nutritious. He ate and was guided outside to meet his driver properly for the first time before being ushered on to the training facility for his first press appearance.
He was greeted by the owner and his manager at the doors. He wandered if they’d been waiting there all morning or if the club was in contact with his staff. Either way, they told him about the history of the club, their high expectations for him, and the manager explained a bit about how he expected Sandro to fit into his tactical scheme. They admitted they knew that he was taking a huge step at a young age, and would be patient. He also suspected that is what they tell everyone making the jump up to a higher division, and he would face the same pressures to perform as any player. They showed him to the media room, where journalists peppered him with all of the questions you would expect of a new signing and he responded through a translator. While his English was okay now after two years using it almost exclusively, he had almost zero ability to speak Spanish, despite recognizing some similar words to Portuguese.
The reporters seemed satisfied with his responses, and he thanked them all and left. The owner and manager said they’d see him back at training the next morning. He knew as he rode home, that like it or not, the big leagues were going to be different. He would be challenged, despite everything being streamlined for his success in his life, he’d be competing against the world’s very best, and would need to bring his A game daily or he would sink into obscurity.
This move had not been like the last two. Rushed, disjointed, or under-researched. Sandro now had people to arrange these things for him, and they coordinated with the people at CD Tenochtitlan to make sure everything was taken care of before his arrival. The private driver met him directly at the plane and took him directly to his new house, or should I say mansion, where he could prepare to visit the CDT facilities for the first time later in the day.
When he arrived, he was shocked. It was like something out of the movies. He’d signed off on the purchase and seen the images, but he couldn’t have been prepared for experiencing such luxuries in person. His own private paradise separated from the city behind towering walls. Inside he was greeted by his butler. In Thailand his building was luxurious and he had access to 24/7 concierge service, but this was a whole new experience. He had a staff of servants. He wasn’t sure if he was comfortable with it, but his agent assured him that it was normal in Mexico City and that he was expected to have a staff to keep his house in order. It just felt strange as a 20 year old kid to be barking orders.
As he ascended to the master bedroom, he found the entire house furnished and even decorated in his past achievements. He peeked in the closet and found an entire wardrobe of clothes, both casual and formal attire, waiting for him. He knew that he was expected at the Tenochtitlan HQ soon, so he decided to shower off the cross-world flight before choosing an outfit with the blend of professional and casual that he felt would be appropriate. He walked back downstairs where they had his table set for him already with a private chef prepared meal, both delicious and nutritious. He ate and was guided outside to meet his driver properly for the first time before being ushered on to the training facility for his first press appearance.
He was greeted by the owner and his manager at the doors. He wandered if they’d been waiting there all morning or if the club was in contact with his staff. Either way, they told him about the history of the club, their high expectations for him, and the manager explained a bit about how he expected Sandro to fit into his tactical scheme. They admitted they knew that he was taking a huge step at a young age, and would be patient. He also suspected that is what they tell everyone making the jump up to a higher division, and he would face the same pressures to perform as any player. They showed him to the media room, where journalists peppered him with all of the questions you would expect of a new signing and he responded through a translator. While his English was okay now after two years using it almost exclusively, he had almost zero ability to speak Spanish, despite recognizing some similar words to Portuguese.
The reporters seemed satisfied with his responses, and he thanked them all and left. The owner and manager said they’d see him back at training the next morning. He knew as he rode home, that like it or not, the big leagues were going to be different. He would be challenged, despite everything being streamlined for his success in his life, he’d be competing against the world’s very best, and would need to bring his A game daily or he would sink into obscurity.
![[Image: C75197-D1-9-E74-4-DC5-836-E-981-D75-A96413.png]](https://i.postimg.cc/nc8qJ0Nf/C75197-D1-9-E74-4-DC5-836-E-981-D75-A96413.png)
