Nobody expected Myrto Uzuni to have such a season with Granada in the second tier of Spanish football, La Liga 2.
27-year-old Uzun has exceeded expectations and excelled in this edition, scoring 22 goals and five assists in 37 games in all competitions.
But his past is very emotional. And Uzuni gave his confession on Saturday to the great Spanish medium "Marca".
"My path started with my father. From the beginning he wanted me to be a football player and to learn English because it would help me in life. He was my first coach and supported me from the first day", Uzuni recalled.
Uzuni was 10 years old when he faced a different situation from other children. His family collected the important things in Berat, where he was born, and left the country.
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"We have been walking for three days. We had no money. We had to pay 15 euros to leave the country, which is a lot of money for a country where you are paid 300 or 400 euros a month. Uncle gave us the money. We went to Greece to look for a better life", says Uzuni.
"That's where my power lies. It makes me appreciate today. I don't want to go back because my family had nothing, it was a difficult life", says Uzuni.
Although football fulfilled his dreams, the harsh reality made him stay away from the ball for a while.
"Playing football was complicated. We had the only option, work, to help the family. We didn't have anything, not even a contract, because we didn't have a permit. I worked several jobs", says the Granada striker.
Despite the marathon days, Uzuni continued to play tirelessly, while football soon turned out to be the way out. "I found strength in my family, we sacrificed a lot together. I knew that the way out of this situation was only through football", he says, for whom Olympiacos had expressed interest in 2010. Everything was close to agreement, but the visa was a problem for the footballer with big dreams.
With few options on the table, Uzuni and his family returned to Albania.
"We had no house, no money, we had nothing. We lived in difficult conditions. One day I was running at six in the morning. It was very cold and my nose was red. I looked up and said: One day I will be very big. I have always believed in myself," he says.
The 18-year-old Uzuni started the explosion at Tomori, after scoring 27 goals and then went to the first team at Apolonia for 2 thousand euros.
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"Two thousand euros is nothing", he says with a laugh. Then he moved to Laçi with a contract of 20 euros, where he made history by going to the Europa League qualifications.
The Zagreb locomotive was the next stop, a new country, a new language, but despite the challenges and difficulties, Uzuni was ready.
After outstanding numbers in Croatia, Uzun's growth continued at Ferencvaros who transferred him. He also played in the Champions League, where he met Cristiano Ronaldo, his idol. "Ronaldo is an example for me. Everyone knows the sacrifice he has made to achieve his career. The mentality of the winner is the most important thing for me", he emphasized.
In the match against Juventus, the attacker from Berat celebrated just like the Portuguese star, as a sign of admiration. "I always watched it on television. It was something extraordinary to play against Ronaldo. I scored a goal and it was a dream come true", said Uzuni.
After Ferencvaros, Granada expressed interest, which made Uzun proud and accepted the transfer.
"I felt happy and very proud of all the work I have done, all these years with sacrifices. Finally all brought me to a deserved place. Granada opened the doors for me in La Liga, my dream came true.
Uzuni speaks four languages and adapting to Spanish football was not difficult for him.
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He is currently the top scorer in La Liga 2, and he says he doesn't have any secrets.
"It has to do with dedication, hard work. Everyone knows how much I love football. I live for football. In each team I try to make history, make a difference. I always want more. Football has solved many things in my life. My dream is to become a footballer, play for Albania and go to strong leagues. The only thing I can say is that nothing is impossible. You have to be confident and that's what I'm here for. Football is my life, I live for football", concluded Uzuni, who with Granada aims to return to La Liga.
