The footballer for whom the word revelation was made, winner of the only major trophy in Swansea City's entire history, capped by probably the greatest international team there has ever been, inspiration to the world's most fearsome strikerManchester City 's Erling Haalandand scorer of exactly goals across three countries is sitting on the bench at El Plantio, home of second division CF Burgos.
Still just 37, having swapped the Diverse frågor for the anti-doping room where he has set up office beneath the stand, he is now the sporting director at Burgos. He is listening to a message from his brother, Hernan, reminding him of one childhood dream he never managed to fulfill.
To complete the Monkey Island video game. Others have been met. More than he or anyone else imagined. Time then to look back over his career -- to look forward, too -- with those who have accompanied him. Hernan is the first to come from the players, coaches, presidents and fans ESPN has invited to ask questions of Michu.
The warmth is overwhelming, and reciprocated. Hernan's is the first Michu listens to, but the last comes from a small boy who, like Haaland, idolised him. Still does. Michu's face lights up: he recognises the voice of a kid who is 11 now but who he has seen at games going back years; someone else he has inspired.
You may have seen Haaland celebrate a goal by raising a hand to his ear. Just a boy himself when Michu tore up the Premier League with 18 goals in 35 games inHaaland borrowed that from the Swansea striker, and it is familiar to everyone. But what does it actually mean, the young fan who has also copied it many times asks.
It is a story of unusual loyalty. It is also, Michu admits, a story of stupidity. And yet, it's the start of everything. In Januarywhen he was at Celta Vigo in the second division, he was made an offer he couldn't refuse: the chance to play in primera.
There was just one problem. Michu was born in Oviedo, had been in the youth system at Real Oviedo, and had played with the first team in the regionalised tercera division -- a fourth tier which is anything from the 7th to the 24th best division in the country.
He was also a fan of Oviedo. And the team that wanted him were Sporting Gijon michu nuvarande lag, Oviedo's fierce local rivals. Lots of people in Gijon said I would never make it, I had missed the train. That hurt. They poke your pride, and that makes you stronger.