EINDHOVEN, NETHERLANDS - SEPTEMBER 7: Bart Verbruggen of Holland during the UEFA Nations league match between Holland v Bosnia and Herzegovina at the Philips Stadium on September 7, 2024 in Eindhoven Netherlands (Photo by Marcel Bonte/Soccrates/Getty Images)
The award for the strangest international break goes to Brighton star Julio Enciso – here’s what happened.
From passing out on aeroplanes to a crisis of confidence in Asunción
Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler always has plenty to deal with when his players return from international duties.
Albion’s global stars jet off to all corners of the planet as they represent their countries before Hurzeler gets maybe two sessions with his squad before the next Premier League fix.
This Saturday the Seagulls, who are sixth in the table, travel to seventh placed Newcastle and the German head coach admitted South American stars Julio Enciso and Pervis Estupinan will be the last ones to return.
Enciso, 20, was on duty for Paraguay in their 0-0 draw against Estupinan’s Ecuador last Thursday in a World Cup qualifier and then yesterday in their 2-1 win against Venezuela.
The trip started badly for Enciso as he felt unwell on the plane and fainted. The Seagull regained consciousness and credited a passenger for giving him coke and Japanese soup to help ease his symptoms.
“My head hurts. I almost died, I fainted on the plane,” Enciso explained. “A guy grabbed me and took me to the front. He made me drink Coke and a Japanese soup and that did me good.”
With a healthy dose of coke and soup in his system, a revitalised Enciso was fit enough to start the clash against Ecuador and also four days later versus Venezuela.
The clash in Asunción against Venezuela saw Enciso miss a penalty, which upset the attacking the midfielder to such an extent, he asked Paraguay manager Gustavo Alfaro to substitute him.
Enciso said he lost confidence and focus and wanted to come off but Alfaro kept him out there and Paraguay went on to win 2-1.
“He [Alfaro] told me that I was one of the players he loves very much and that motivated me. I told him to change, because I was totally unfocused when I didn’t score the goal. I was down, luckily, we were able to turn it around and give joy to the country,” he said to Versus, via Sports Witness.
“Everyone gave me their support and thank God I was able to come on in a different way in the second half. Missing a penalty is very difficult for a player, even more so with my national team, the country I love so much, the truth is that it’s very bad.
“I know that at this moment perhaps many people are doubting my ability, I wanted to give them a goal, but I got a little out of focus and I want to apologise.”
So, all’s well that ends well for Enciso and hopefully his flight from Asunción back to he UK was smoother than his outgoing trip. But his chaotic time was far from the best physical and mental preparation for an intense Premier League fixture at St James’ Park.
