World Cup dreams to remember for Stephen Bradley
Pico managed to swerve Manager's words of advice on the way to
Darry Geraghty, Guest Columnist
As Roberto “Pico” Lopes prepares to live out every young boy and girl’s dream of lining up for their country in the World Cup. And after countless interviews and photoshoots the day finally arrives as Cape Verde will finally come face-to- face with 2010 World Cup winners and reigning European Champions, Spain.
But if the Crumlin native had listened to his club manager then the dream could have been over a long time ago.
Following Friday night’s defeat to Shelbourne, Stephen Bradley sensationally revealed how a chat with his skipper might have changed things.
“If he had taken my advice he wouldn’t be there, because I wanted him to step away from the international stuff maybe 14 months ago,” admitted Bradley. “He was doing a lot of travelling around the other side of the world to play games. We had a heart to heart and I said, ‘It’s time to step back from this Pico’. He said, ‘Let me think about it’. He came back to me and said, ‘I promise you I’m good to do it, my body’s good’. I had to trust him. Thank God he didn’t listen to me, because he wouldn’t be there now living every footballer’s dream, with his family over there watching; his wife, his son. It would have been devastating for him, but I’m delighted for him. I’ll be the proudest man in Ireland watching him on Monday.”
Having crossed the Dublin divide from rivals Bohemians to Tallaght back in 2017, the now 33-year-old has enjoyed a trophy laden spell under his current gaffer and developed into one of the leagues best ever centre backs. But Bradley was reluctant to take credit for such an historic and inspirational rise to the very top of the game.
“It’s all down to him. Incredible dedication to his craft and what he gives it,” beamed the double winning manager.
“It’s special. He wasn’t going to come to us because he was thinking he had a steady job in the bank. You can always go back to the bank, was the conversation. He trusted us. He has put in the graft and worked. What he has put into the game, how he holds himself, how he represents us as a club, as a team, as a group off the pitch is incredible.
“He’s our captain, our leader, obviously. So I’ll be extremely proud watching him on Monday. I only texted him that (on Thursday) and he said, ‘Stop talking to me, you’ll get me emotional’. He’s in a good place, he’s looking forward to it.”
And when pressed to give a prediction on the David versus Goliath clash, in which he will be in the TV studio for, the 41-year-old was firmly backing his man and laying his allegiances plainly for all to see, adding with tongue firmly in cheek: “It’s an easy game for them (Cape Verde) as well, isn’t it? Spain? They should win that. Easy one 2-0 or 3-0.”