If you're here you must love sport. You must have somebody you follow and enjoy watching, somebody who's the role model, right? Well, I've seen many players in my life but not so many of them are the ones I put on the pedestal; cause they just need to have something I'm unwittingly looking for. I can't tell you what it is, I really don't know, but the ones I love are like Anakin Skywalker, they are the chosen ones. My friend once told me :'You hate or love them but honestly, it scares me how big that love could be...' It scares me too. It scares me cause I know they will leave me heartbroken one day, cause I'm aware that the day of farewell will come and I will never see them playing. So... dear Reader, make a tea or grab a beer, have a sit and just stay here and follow the story of my broken heart, the story about the man who actually did it. I can feel the smile on your face but it's true.
In a career of every athlete, there finally comes the time to say goodbye, and for the fans the goodbye is always too soon. I really don't know how to start cause I can't believe I have to do this. I have to say tchau.
When I first met him I was 11ish? Probably. I couldn't believe that such kid like me was given a chance to take a picture with the man who that time had already won a gold medal at the Olympics in 2004. He was an authority for me then but now we're here, 10 years later with a decade of amazing memories and moments.
Emanuel Rego is the player whose path should be followed by many young ones willing to achieve something big in the future. He spent 25 years of playing all around the world, won 76 World Tour events, he's also tree-times World Champion and won all three Olympic medals. I could write a lot about his sport successes but this time it's not so much about them, it's about the soul and being one of the most down-to-earthed people I've met.
I can't recall a situation when he said no to any fan, reporter, photographer but I do remember him rushing to games and taking pictures with little boys with Brazilian flag painted cheeks or just... just talking to me and my friends.
I strongly believe Emanuel is reading this right now so I just want to say:
Dear Emanuel,
you did break my heart. I can't imagine not seeing your name on the competitors list, in the main draw and then playing finals, I can't believe we won't have a chit-chats, I can't imagine myself not cheering for you any more. You're such a big part of my life and actually my beach volleyball path! You are among those people thanks to whom I'm who I'm and who I'm willing to be. Thank you for being here for a decade, than you for inspiring me to be a better person and a better player. Something beautiful has ended but something tells me that even more amazing things are coming. I feel blessed and honored to know and call you my friend. The world needs players and people like you, people with big hearts and wonderful souls. I do believe we'll meet again one day somewhere around Copacabana talking about all those years. Thank you for everything Emil. I love you. We love you.
Your Ala
and #TeamGibberson
