[Sport] "I Moved to an Island": Yashir Islame's New Adventure in Southeast Asia

[FNX Magokiler]

Yashir Islame Pinto (29) describes her career as a 'slut' and she likes that. The Colo Colo-trained forward did a test in Germany and also passed through Hungary, Canada, Malaysia and Indonesia, where he defends PS Barito Putera. All those challenges taught him much more than just being a soccer player and that fills him with pride.
"I am super happy with this new challenge, the people are very kind here. I had only come to Indonesia for vacation and the truth is that I love it. I usually communicate in English, but in Malaysia I learned a little of their language and I also use it from time to time, "says the Chilean-Palestinian from Jakarta to AS Chile.

In a preseason break that his squad makes, Islame talks about his mistakes and successes, the experiences that football has given him, the bubble in which the footballer lives, the role of representatives in the decisions of young people and of the great personal gain that he achieved thanks to his career.

 

- How were your first days in Indonesia?

- Very good. I've been here for about 20 days and moved to an island, but it's not like you're on vacation either. A lot is demanded of the foreigner because he is better paid. You cannot get injured and be suspended. I started working with a Chilean FP because I have to be fine. We train in the afternoon because of the heat and in the morning I have to do work in the gym.

 

 

- How could you describe life there?

- Very good. In Malaysia I lived in a resort and had everything within walking distance. Now I am looking for a house, but I insist that it is not a life of relaxation at all. When I go to play Palestine I don't have time either, then I look for moments of relaxation. I didn't go to Chile for vacations and we stayed here. I didn't have a vacation like five years ago and we took the opportunity with my girlfriend to disconnect. She helps me in everything. Many believe that the footballer's partner lives in a bubble, but this is not the case. It's stressful, because it's in everything. We are a team and she makes a sacrifice by being away from her close ones. Is not easy.

 

- Did you ever imagine playing there?
- Not at all, but I feel that being here has changed my way of thinking and living. The teammates are much more focused and do not care about what one is on the outside, that marked me and is what I liked the most. I have changed my way of thinking a lot. When I was in Coquimbo they asked me why I didn't have a better car and I'm not in a stage of pretending. I'm trying to be happy with what I have.

 

- Did you think differently before?
- When you are young, you allow yourself to be influenced by the representatives, rather than by what you want. I believe that the footballer lives in a bubble in general. We are a bit oblivious to what is happening. I was born in Puente Alto and through football I got to know other things. In that sense, of course you live apart from everything else. I left Colo Colo when I was 19 years old and I was not prepared at that time. I started with the desire to play, because they tell you that you have to do it even when you skip stages. That is not explained to you and that is why I try to transmit my experience with the youngest. I tell them not to skip the processes. If you have to play for 10 minutes, that's not bad, because you have to go little by little. In Chile, young people play by a rule and many are confused because they think they play because they are at the level and they are not.

 

- Why?
- In the minor series, Chile does not have good results. The Chilean believes the story ahead of time. You have to learn to earn your place. Not to come from a great one you have to play. In my case I felt that, that I came from Colo Colo to the loans and felt that they had to make me the owner just because I came from there. And it is not like that. The representatives rush the races and now I know everything from another point of view. You don't listen to the greatest and sometimes you have to.

- Does the footballer expose himself because of his own fault or that of the environment?
- It depends on each one. The footballer is exposed to many things. To become known when you are young, of the good and bad friends that there are, those who guide you well and badly, because just as there are those who want the best and healthiest for you, there are also many who want you to live life as one Superstar. It is a society problem; They are all concerned with pretending, knowing in which restaurant you eat, what car you drive, and that can be seen in the mistakes you make. Soccer was taking me out of the reality in which I was born.

- What was that reality?
- I used to stand in lines at doctors' offices and then football takes you out of all that. Today I no longer do those lines because I go to clinics where everything is easier. I feel lucky, but my family continues to have the same problems that are claimed. Most of my friends are from the same situation as me. I was lucky to live in several countries and I have another vision. That's why I love what happens with Charles (Aránguiz). He gives his opinion and point of view and is a clear example of life. He never forgot where it came from.

 

- Why did your mentality change?
- There were several reasons. I went on trial to Freiburg in Germany and returned to Chile with the contract practically armed, but later the clubs did not reach an agreement. My career was putting my feet on the ground. The main change I had was in Hungary. I decided to play for myself and not for the rest and dedicate myself to being happy with what I do. Today I have my girlfriend and I live day to day. I had a serious injury and you forget to enjoy what is coming. You no longer think about what contract to take to secure your life. Today I am dedicated to enjoying the day to day.

 

- Do you regret any decision you made in your career?
- Not at all, because when I took them, I thought it was the best for me. You make mistakes, but the good and the bad have me in this place today. I enjoy here and that is the most important thing.

 

- In terms of football, do you think that in Chile the football where you play is looked at less?
- Something striking happens with that. I think that the Chilean league is overvalued in the sense that when you look out at markets like the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and those here, you have the vision that they were low-level leagues. I'll give you an example: I came from Malaysia to Coquimbo and I adapted well and performed in a great way. The level itself is similar. In addition, Chilean football is going through a bad time and the numbers reflect it. The selection in these years has been an exception, like Palestino, which is the only Chilean team that became cupbearer. The U has already been eliminated from the Cup. I do not detract from what has been done and hopefully Chile will rise, but the numbers say that we overvalue our league. There are great players but there are few stable projects. UC makes a difference for its project. Here football is not as tactical as in Chile, but it has the climate, agile players and the disorder that occurs complicates you.

 

- Would you go back to Chile again?
- I love Chile, but for my quality of life, being here today helps me much more. Here we are going to eat and one arrives on a motorcycle and another in a high-end car and it is not a topic for anyone. You are not 'cuico' or 'flaite'. They do not pigeonhole you in one sector or another.