Francisco ‘Kíkin’ Fonseca’s football career is marked by significant highs and lows, most notably his standout performance in the 2006 World Cup held in Germany, where he scored a goal and earned a contract with Benfica, entering the European football scene.
In a recent interview with David Faitelson on “Faitelson sin Censura,” the former professional player and now analyst shared pivotal moments from his career. Fonseca reflected on his inexperience and immaturity, which he believes contributed to his struggles in Europe, particularly when he chose not to join Hamburg in the Bundesliga.
“I was foolish; it was my fault. When I arrived at Benfica, I didn’t get minutes. A Croatian agent told me I needed to pay him because he knew Fernando Santos, the Euro champion with Portugal and my coach,” Fonseca recounted. “I found it strange, but when I talked to Fernando Santos, he assured me that he wouldn’t do such things.”
Fonseca, who previously played for teams such as Pumas, Tigres, Atlante, and Cruz Azul, also admitted to underestimating Hamburg, believing it to be a less prestigious club. “After this, they called me to negotiate with Hamburg. It was foolishness; I wasn’t considering all my options. In my time, just being in Europe didn’t guarantee your spot on the national team,” he said.
Furthermore, Fonseca opened up about his conflict with the legendary Hugo Sánchez, who a short time later became the national team coach. Sánchez excluded Fonseca from the 2007 Copa América squad following their disagreement. “I spoke with him, he told me to go ahead, but then we had a fallout. He decided to leave me out of the Copa América because he didn’t see me at my best,” he stated, feeling as though the decision was personal.
Fonseca’s journey is a reminder of the complexities young athletes face in their careers and the importance of making informed decisions. His reflections could serve as lessons for aspiring footballers about the significance of maturity, self-awareness, and professional relationships in their careers.