'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
It was not a very pleasant sight for Willis Deon Plaza when he left Kolkata the last time, following a disappointing stint with East Bengal in the last season.
He was released by the Kolkata giants after a series of poor performances early in 2018, while the fans hurled words of anger towards the footballer simultaneously.
But, he did not break down, as Plaza came back stronger than ever. After more than a year, he reveals what motivated him for the mesmerising comeback.
Soon after the last season ended, Willis Plaza’s brother who was being diagnosed with cancer, passed away and his life was in shambles.
“My life turned upside down last year. My brother was diagnosed with cancer and he passed away. I just lost interest in everything,” said the footballer from Trinidad and Tobago during his recent visit to Kolkata.
He added by saying, “It was bad. I was in the rut. It affected my form. He is the person who inspired me to take up as a profession and his death was like a shock.”
Crestfallen with the tragic incident, he went back to the Caribbean islands and tried to gain some mental stability. He figured out that playing football would be the best way to pay tribute to his deceased brother, and the rest history.
Regarding the matter, Plaza said,
“Once I went back home and did some soul searching in the off-season, I realised that the best way to pay tribute to my brother would be by starting to play football again. So, here I am talking to you.”
He was signed by Churchill Brothers FC in March last year.
After scoring a few in the last season itself, he was retained by the Goa-based side after they got a wild card entry to the 2018-19 I-League even though they were relegated last season.
Willis Plaza has been unstoppable this season, scoring 17 goals in the ongoing league so far. He answered his critics to perfection, especially his former bosses who tagged him “unprofessional.”
Churchill Brothers FC is still a possible contender for the I-League title while Plaza is currently the highest goal scorer in the I-League till now.
The two-time I-League champions will play against East Bengal at the majestic Salt Lake Stadium this Sunday evening. It will be interesting to see how Plaza fares against his former club and a venue with which he is quite familiar with.
