Never a player like Finidi – Real Betis chief

 

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By Wale Emosu

A Real Betis chief recently relived the memories of former Nigeria international Finidi George at theclub and concluded that the winger was “an incredible player”.

Julio Jimenez Heras, Communications Manager of Spanish LaLiga Santander side Betis spoke toTribunesport at Estadio Benito Villamarin, Seville, the club’s home ground, while conducting journalists round, on Thursday last week.

George is one of the 38 players regarded as the legends to have featured for Betis and the photographs of these outstanding players adorn one section of a hall at the Estadio Benito Villamarin.
“Finidi was an incredible player; never a player like Finidi. He was amazing,” Heras told Tribunesport.

In the first cadre of Betis legends are five players excluding the former Super Eagles player. Asked why Finidi was not in this cadre despite his being described as an incredible player, Heras said that had he stayed for a longer at the club, Finidi would have been part of that exclusive class.

“If he had been here 15 years or something, he would have been among the biggest legends,” Heras said. The former Calabar Rovers player was at Betis between 1996 and 2000.

Real Betis’ five biggest legends as seen by Tribunesport are Julio Cardenosa, who played for the club between 1974 and 1985; Jose Ramón Esnaola (1973-1985; Luis del Sol (1954-1960, 1972-1973); Rogello Sosa (1962-1978) and Rafael Gordillo (1976-1985, 1992-1995), regarded as the club’s greatest legend.

The former left winger was present at the interactive session.

Heras also recalled the level of popularity and respect Finidi had as a Betis player. “He had a song [then]. It was ‘F-i-n-i-d-i G-e-o-r-g-e’ all over the stadium.” Nineteen years after, Finidi is still so much loved, according to Heras.

“Last year, maybe in April or May, one of the last games of the season, we took (sic) Finidi here. He came with his son, you can’t imagine it; it was amazing. Nigeria wear green and Real Betis fans also have Nigeria’s shirt.”