‘Cachis’ Rivera took half an hour to find out that he would play as the starter of FC Llapi because he did not know Albanian

The youth soccer player from America assured that he feels happy in Kosovo, but recognizes that language is the main obstacle he faces

The Mexican Francisco ‘Cachis’ Rivera seeks to fulfill its European dream through KF Llapi (FC Llapi) from Kosovo, squad with which he managed to win the Kosovo Super Cup and with it a place in the starting eleven, but his adventure in the center of the Balkan Peninsula has had the language as the main problem, since he does not know Albanian and has a limited command of English, which has caused him not to know what is said in the technical talks or at least find out the first time it came out as the headline.

In interview for ESPN Digital, ‘Cachis’ Rivera He recalled how he was half an hour without knowing that he would start against FC Prishtina, since coach Tahir Batatina does not speak English.

“We won the Super Cup and I didn’t know I was going to play. The coach had not been putting me as a starter because of the adaptation issue and that day in the stadium he tells me until the end that I will enter. I didn’t know he was going to play, because he talked and talked, and I didn’t understand, “he said with a laugh. ‘Cachis’ Rivera.

The footballer revealed that in training he seeks to copy the exercises that his teammates do first, since “here no one speaks Spanish. They tell me things and it is difficult for me. I think I understand what they tell me in English, maybe I’ll be wrong, but it’s my way of understanding it ”.

“In the day-to-day training is normal, but when it comes to how I communicate it is the most complicated, because Albanian is spoken, it is not at all like Spanish and many people speak English, but I do not know how to speak it well and That issue with the coach has cost me a lot, because I don’t understand him. I do not understand when he speaks and when they explain to me in English I understand better. When he explains on the blackboard, I understand him, because it is soccer. I had a month of preseason, then I started and have been every game. You know him on the field and you don’t need to speak the same language to understand yourself and talk with the other teammates, ”said the Mexican soccer player.

With a squad full of local players and elements from Bosnia and Herzegoniva, Albania and England, ‘Cachis’ Rivera has found a better coexistence with the Brazilian players, Bianor Neto and Alef Firmino.

“When they ask me what are you doing here in Kosovo? I tell them I play in Lappi and they happy, I think that’s good. They always speak Albanian to me in stores and then they do not speak it when they see that I am not from here, but I have a Brazilian partner and he is more dark and they treat you differently, but my skin is more similar to that of the people here. I think the team’s fans have received us well. When we are walking down the street they say “Let’s go Lappi”. They are good people with whom I have come across and the reception and the people very well, “he said.

The young man formed in America and with step in the Ascent MX, he acknowledges being happy in Kosovo, but it does not remove the objective of returning to the MX League.

“Everyone has their own path and it will be different, but the theme is to be prepared for what is to come and enjoy everything. When I was in the Ascent I still enjoyed it, I learned and one always wants to be in the First Division. I think I am on the right path, but on a longer path. I would like to be very much in the First Division in Mexico, “he said.

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