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A member of the Manchester City team that lost 8-1 at Middlesbrough in 2008 has popped up after meeting Novak Djokovic
A former Manchester City signing has been spotted selling fishing equipment and accessories to tourists on a beach.
After his ill-fated Premier League spell, Nery Castillo looks unrecognisable. He was seen alongside tennis superstar Novak Djokovic after the former Mexico forward posted a photo of them together on his Instagram profile.
Wearing a red quarter-zip with the crest of Greek football team Olympiacos and white shorts, Castillo looked a far cry from the player Sven Goren-Eriksson signed on loan in 2008. Castillo began his European football career with Olympiacos, the most successful club in Greek football.
Becoming a fan favourite, he secured three consecutive league titles and then a big-money move to Ukrainian giants Shakhtar Donetsk. At the time, he was the most expensive player ever signed by a Ukrainian club.
Then, in December 2007, City signed him on loan. He played nine times for the Blues overall, with seven of them coming in the Premier League.
He raised eyebrows when he signed, as, in a highly unusual move, he paid half of the loan fee himself. Eriksson would later recall: “He was desperate to come to us, desperate to come to England, desperate to come to the Premier League.”
Misfortune struck Castillo in his first home appearance for the club as he was stretchered off the pitch after 32 minutes with a broken shoulder. He did play again for City, with his final appearance being the infamous 8-1 loss at Middlesbrough in 2008.
After his short stay in England, Castillo returned to Shakhtar before going on various loan moves, including to Ukrainian side Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk and Chicago Fire of the MLS. He finished his career at Spanish side Rayo Vallecano.
On international duty, he was a controversial figure. After arriving late to a 2009 training camp, Castillo clashed with the Mexican media, who questioned his discipline and fitness.
After a heated back-and-forth, Castillo said: “The difference is that I am in Europe and you are in Mexico, and you will always remain in Mexico.”
This comment was met with fury by the Mexican public and media, who accused Castillo of arrogance and ‘malinchista’, a Mexican term referring to excessive admiration for American or European culture or behaviours, often being associated with a form of national self-hatred.
After such a colourful career, it is little wonder that Castillo sought a peaceful life on a beach in Athens. He sells fishing equipment and accessories in the city, while also running a shop on the Fournoi islands.
Djokovic now lives in the city with his family and is known to enjoy the beaches on the outskirts of Athens. The Serbian, who recently celebrated his 101st tennis title, is enjoying some downtime prior to the Australian Open in January.
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