Earlier this year, Rúben Semedo was charged with attempted murder and kidnap. On Sunday, he takes on Lionel Messi and Barcelona at the Camp Nou. In a brilliant article published on Bleacher Report, Richard Fitzpatrick articulates the turbulent story of the Portuguese defender born in Lisbon’s suburbs.
A tough upbringing and family instability go some way to explaining the volatility and the dramatic fall from grace of a defender who as recently as two years ago was being championed as “the future of Portugal’s central defence,” by Jorge Jesus.
When still at Sporting as a youth player, Semedo was one of four extremely gifted centre-backs. The other three, Tobias Figueiredo, Tiago llori and Eric Dier are now all playing in England, with Dier a full England international. But back in day at Alcochete Academy, Semedo was considered the most talented of them all.
Where did it all go wrong for the now 24-year-old and can he turn his career – and his life – around?
To read the article click here => Kidnapping, Attempted Murder and Ruben Semedo's Second Chance at Huesca