The day Rondon considered leaving football for Michael Jordan

The current Pachuca scorer told ESPN that during practice he considered dedicating himself to basketball and following in the footsteps of the great NBA icon

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Pachuca—— Michael Jordan He is an idol to millions of people around the world. His playing style, leadership and athleticism marked an entire generation, and he was one of those admirers who fell in love with “23.” chicago bulls Turns out he’s Venezuelan Solomon RondonIn the late 1990s and early 21st century, he trained to be a football player, but deep down he dreamed of playing basketball like Jordan.

Top scorer of the tournament venezuela national team He recalled with ESPN When he was about to change sports, his parents stopped him and let him continue playing football, and in the 2007 season he made his debut with Aragua.

Longdong, current team scorer Pachuca1.89 meters tall, while the average height of football players NBA It’s 1.98.

“I have always loved basketball and watched it growing up. At one point in my life I thought about changing sports but my parents wouldn’t let me but I watched some videos Michael Jordan“That’s my favorite and I still watch them to this day,” said the current forward. Pachuca.

idolatry Longdong towards Jordan He has carried this philosophy into his career as a football player and has reflected this in his choice of jersey number 23 during his time in Europe with the Venezuelan national team and currently with Tussos. “That’s why I use 23, I do it for him, even Jordan

He used 45 in the game bulls, because the 23rd is unavailable, but the 23rd is marked. “

His fanaticism has led him to collect “Air Jordan” sneakers: “I have several pairs, and I have a small collection that I use. I have a version with some Chinese letters from the Chinese basketball team, and some in black and gold , and some in platinum. I use them, not collect them, but I like them.”

Longdong One of the most important phrases to remember Jordan: “I missed over 9,000 shots in my career. I lost nearly 300 games and there were 26 game-winning shots that I was trusted with and I missed. Time and time again in my life. I fail, and that’s why I succeed.”

“It’s reflective of what he did in the sport. He left the basketball team, played baseball, and then came back. That’s a role model that any athlete can talk about Michael Jordan” Longdong concluded.