It's not all about football
15 images Created 9 Oct 2012
Jacinto Elá Ayana Eyene was born in Añisok, Equatoguinean but moved to Spain as a baby. As an adolescent his mother encouraged him to play football to keep him out of the streets. Quickly he became a star player and at the age of 14 he won the Most Valuable Player in the Nike Premium Cup, which came with a 3 year Nike product contract. Jacinto went on to play with Southampton, Dundee F.C., and UDA Gramenet.
In 2010 Jacinto retired at the age of 28. Football had been good to him, allowing him to buy a house for his mother, but he felt there was more to life and he needed a change. Many of his friends thought he should have continued to play, even if it was in second division, but he said it had stopped being fun and was too much of a business.
Since then Jacinto has made a lot of changes in his life including starting a business with his girlfriend Esther, becoming a teacher's aid, and moving into an apartment with Esther. Football still plays an important role in his life but now it is just for fun. The way he likes it.
In 2010 Jacinto retired at the age of 28. Football had been good to him, allowing him to buy a house for his mother, but he felt there was more to life and he needed a change. Many of his friends thought he should have continued to play, even if it was in second division, but he said it had stopped being fun and was too much of a business.
Since then Jacinto has made a lot of changes in his life including starting a business with his girlfriend Esther, becoming a teacher's aid, and moving into an apartment with Esther. Football still plays an important role in his life but now it is just for fun. The way he likes it.
