HE grew up calling Xavi and Iker Casillas international team-mates, not to mention pocketing a cool £2.5m for his single season at Chelsea.
But while his friends have gone on to become symbols of Spanish football as the Blues close in on a third Premier League title, Enrique de Lucas couldn't be happier with his more modest of curtain calls.
Once talked about as one of his country's potential greats of the future, the 36-year-old probably didn't expect the objective of his final call of duty in the game that has made him millions to be trying to guide Biggleswade United to a top-half finish in the Spartan South Midlands League.
Passion
A business venture confirmed his professional retirement last summer and after working alongside respected journalist Guillem Balagué on his sports management company, work has brought him to Bedfordshire.
There's no lucrative contract 12 years on from the first time he touched down in the UK with his boots in his bag. The attacking midfielder is playing for free with the Step 5 club – not bad, considering his earnings at Stamford Bridge worked out at the best part of £50,000 a week.
“I have not been able to play every single week but I love it when I do,” he said. “Guillem called me and said he is involved with Biggleswade now, he asked why don't I come over and play some time so I said why not – I am near and I still have a passion for playing.
“I try to help the players when I can, I think people should realise that at this level of football there are some very talented people. The young players here are always trying to improve themselves, I like that. They should also know that it is very professional.”
Like De Lucas' Chelsea career, Biggleswade's season has not panned out quite as planned either. But with the big-name signing and burgeoning relationship with Spanish football expert Balagué – their new director of football – there's a new lease of life around Fairfield Road.
They are aiming to relocate to a new ground soon and the writer is helping the club put together a new management structure for next season. They want promotion.
“I don't see it as a lot of people would see it; ‘he has gone from the Premier League to a Non-League team'. I'm in football, I get to carry on playing and I can teach,” added de Lucas, the former Celta Vigo and Paris St-Germain player.
“If I can give something to the young players and help a friend of mine in the process, what is there not to be pleased about?
“I have played with some wonderful players, Xavi, Casillas, John Terry, Marcel Desailly –but I see this as another challenge. This could be my last chapter in football so I have to make the most of every minute.”
