When a jersey number tells the story of a footballer: from disappointment to shining

Girona"The first day I saw him play everything was so perfect and everything was so beautiful, the field, under the mountains, his football at six or seven years old, everything, everything, that I felt the need to kneel down and thank God. I don't know if anyone saw me. I don't care. The only thing I know is that at that moment I noticed that God had put him there for me and that he would make my dream of contributing a star to the country come true. It was an incredible thing. Something I had dreamed of. It was a unique feeling, very brutal. Like an ecstasy". These words were spoken by coach Sergio Bustamante.

They were referring to Yáser Asprilla, Girona's main offensive attraction at the start of this season. The Colombian landed at Montilivi with sky-high expectations and a series of highlights on social media that suggested he could define an era. He was given the number 10 jersey, owned by illustrious names that fans fall in love with. But the crash was so big that he ended up in Turkey, where he didn't fit in either. Now, with number 22 on his back, he has abandoned his dreams of Champions League greatness and embraced the mud of the Second Division to become the top scorer for Quique Álvarez's team, which hosts Andorra this Sunday (18:30, LaLigaTV Hypermotion).

The reality check is productive for Asprilla, who in the seven matches he has played this season has scored more goals (five) than in the fifty he had played since his signing (four). There is no one else in the locker room with similar figures: to name a few who should be differential, Van de Beek has scored one goal in six matches; Abel Ruiz, two in eight; Bryan Gil, none in seven; Carles Pérez, two in six, and Vanat, one in five. Also counting Asprilla, everyone, except Carles Pérez and Vanat, was signed the summer of the Champions League. They dropped in category and, if the championship ended today, they wouldn't even make the promotion play-off: Girona is seventh, one point from sixth place and six from direct promotion. Nine matchdays have already been played.

The origin of almost all of Asprilla's troubles lies in the price that Girona paid for him in 2024. It is the most expensive signing in history: 18 million euros that could rise to 25 with variables for a winger who at the time was also playing in the Second Division in England. But there was another conditioning factor, the handing over of the number 10 shirt, which still opens his profile on social media. A recognition that months later would even provoke a slap on the wrist from then-coach Míchel Sánchez. “He is a young boy, with a lot of talent, and when we gave him the 10, I thought we had made a mistake. Because you have to earn that number. Asprilla is a great footballer and he will surely deserve it, but giving it away to someone who has just arrived, who has cost a lot of money and on whom everyone has pinned many hopes… I think all this has made it even harder for him to understand what we want, but he is a good kid who will improve,” predicted the current Ajax coach, who was not wrong with the prophecy and a year and a half later saw him head off to Galatasaray, where he went on loan with an option to buy. Since he didn't convince them either, they didn't exercise it.

This summer he returned to Girona once again, but the 10 had already flown and, as if he wanted to start over, he chose the 22 that he used during his time in Istanbul. And the goals have started to fall: one in Córdoba, two against Las Palmas, one in Gijón –where he was fined for showing a t-shirt that read "God is in control"– and one in Tenerife upon his return from the FIFA window, where he had minutes with the Colombia national team after almost a year of absence. But it's not all about goals: he is also gaining confidence. “He is showing the footballer he is, but he must continue to show it. I am very happy with him. I see him doing well and involved: he is brave, he asks for the ball, he is different from the others. I want players like that,” assesses Quique Álvarez. Asprilla was the star player for the fans in the month of August.

From Eloi Amagat to Portu

The Girona number 10, as is the case in most places, has almost always been destined for special footballers. This year it is owned by Portu, who recently returned to the pitch after a serious injury that kept him away from activity for ten months. “The club asked me if I wanted it because it was free, and I accepted it. It is a nice number, and it fits perfectly with the motivation for this season, with my return and the goal we have, which is none other than promotion to the First Division,” explains the Murcian, a legend at Montilivi, with 198 matches in seven seasons.

Before him, it was held by Borja García, 233 matches in eight seasons and one of the two footballers who have experienced both promotions to the First Division; Samu Saiz, 120 matches in four seasons, and Eloi Amagat, 194 matches in nine seasons and the only player in the club's history to defend Girona in the Third Division, Second Division B, Second Division, and First Division.