The Unpredictable Nature of Football: Stole Dimitrievski’s Career Reflections

omidbasir- Football often has a short memory. It’s never wise to say ‘I will not drink from this water,’ as the Spanish proverb goes, for circumstances can change and place one in a similar situation once more. Athletes live in the present, responding to immediate challenges that they believe affect them adversely. This has been vividly illustrated by Stole Dimitrievski, the Macedonian goalkeeper for Valencia, who openly aired his frustrations in an interview last week.

Dimitrievski’s comments were reminiscent of a bygone era, where speaking candidly in one’s home country felt like a safe choice, unaware that such words would swiftly reach broader audiences. Today, information spreads rapidly across the globe, and the fire sparked by Dimitrievski’s remarks has significant repercussions within the locker room. His teammates, coaching staff, and club management are now closely scrutinizing his statements. Discussing the contracts of fellow players could have serious consequences, as he did regarding Agirrezabala, implicating his coach Carlos Corberán in the process.

This summer, following the departure of Mamardashvili, Valencia secured a one-season loan for Agirrezabala. The Athletic Club confirmed that this move included financial penalties for Valencia should the Basque goalkeeper not participate in matches. Dimitrievski was taken aback upon learning this arrangement. In his interview, he stated, “The club is bringing in another player who has it written in his contract that he must play league matches. This was a shock for me. It implied that there would be no competition for that position; he has to play regardless of my performance. Otherwise, the club faces penalties.”

However, football possesses a historical backdrop that can turn situations against individuals. The ‘Nástic de Tarragona case and Dimitrievski’ does not cast him in a favorable light, given his current grievances. He feels wronged but seems to forget the circumstances under which he joined and left Nástic de Tarragona.

Approaching 32 years of age, Dimitrievski joined the Catalan club in 2016 on a free transfer from Granada, where he had spent at least four years. During his first season (2016-17), he made nine appearances, but in the subsequent season (2017-18), he became the undisputed starter, playing 39 matches. At that time, no one raised concerns regarding the relationship between the club and the agency that directly handled its sports management. Dimitrievski arrived in Tarragona in partnership with Promoesport in 2016.

The Nástic sought to part ways with him after the agency, then associated with the multinational As1sport, agreed to terminate its collaboration with the club. They no longer wanted him. Following the end of the affiliation between the player representation group and the club, the latter decided to let him go. This decision ultimately led to Dimitrievski’s loan to Rayo, which included an option to purchase. This separation marked the conclusion of his time at the Catalan entity in July 2018.