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Forget the age, Gervinho is hitting top gear
Forget the age, Gervinho is still hitting top gear in Serie A. The Cote de Ivoire international may be enjoying his best return in Europe with 8 goals in 18 matches for Parma.
“After his contribution to the evolution of Chinese football, Gervinho returned to play with Parma in the Italian Serie A. You know how eagles get revived and behave like they are young again once they hit a certain age, that is exactly Gervinho. He has scored 8 goals in the 16 games that he has played in the Serie A for promoted Parma.”
Most fans’ eyes are usually drawn towards the rising stars that are hitting the football arena with glory. These are the brilliant players that are usually in their early 20s and make you question what you have been doing with your life. We seldom forget that there are stars that have shining in the sky for a while and even made it possible for the young stars to see the path. Gervinho, has been so up in the sky for a while so much that other people thought that his light was getting dim, but he has reminded us that we should forget the age and pay attention to the top gear that he is hitting.
Glorious Days
He recalls the day that he signed his Arsenal contract in 2011 like yesterday. In an interview, he said “Arsenal are the team that have left the biggest mark on me, without a doubt. I lived a dream. Any kid who starts playing can’t help but to dream to play at a club like Arsenal. The day I signed, I cried.” As an Arsenal player, he got exposed to other great players like Robin Van Persie and Santiago Cazorla. His growth was not just confined on the pitch, but he was able to also grow in his personal life as he got to be more tolerant and live outside of his home continent. Even though, he did not get win any accolades with Arsenal, he made 60 appearances. Even more importantly, playing for Arsenal had been his childhood dream so being at Arsenal meant much more to him, than anyone else. Moments of realising your dreams are what makes life worth living.
Gervinho of Parma Calcio celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Serie A match between Parma Calcio and Empoli at Stadio Ennio Tardini on September 30, 2018 in Parma, Italy.
(Sept. 29, 2018 - Source: Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images Europe)
His Move to China
He left Roma in 2016 to play for Hebei CFCC in the Chinese Super League. Many speculated that he was just warming into retirement with a fat cheque that he would get from the CSL. The granted, £345,000-per-week would impress any pocket that it would land on. While he was there, he did not just play for the sake of it, but he contributed to the growth of the Chinese Super League. When talking about his growth in China, he said, “In China, you need to be strong too: you can’t feel like you are on vacation, you need to teach something to the next generations.” This statement speaks to making sure that you play with impact.
Returning With a Bang
After his contribution to the evolution of Chinese football, Gervinho returned to play with Parma in the Italian Serie A. You know how eagles get revived and behave like they are young again once they hit a certain age, that is exactly Gervinho. He has scored 8 goals in the 16 games that he has played in the Serie A for promoted Parma. He has surely become more than what he was when he left Roma for China. In Parma’s draw with Juventus, 2 out of the 3 goals were a gift from him. He has also diligently used his back-heel signature technique to leave a mark during the matches.
Conclusion
Whoever said old age should be associated with deteriorating ability and questionable talent was gravely mistaken. There is something that can only been achieved when you have been in the game for sometime. Gervinho, 31, is showing the younger kids how it’s done.
Gervinho and Yaya Toure: Aging like wine
Former Arsenal forward, Gervinho and the four time African Footballer of the Year, Yaya Toure are the two Ivorian Legends back in the headlines again and warming hearts. Will the AFCON Winners and seasoned FIFA World cup performers deliver for their new clubs?
Some of the most decorated names in African football history are backup in the headlines, reminding the world that form is temporary but class is permanent.
Gervinho
“Clearly I wanted to keep him on for the whole game and I received a lot of insults from the stands, but I am taking some risks with him. He had 20 minutes against SPAL, plus some problems during the week, and I can’t afford to lose him. Gervinho has unique technical and physical characteristics, so I can’t let him get injured.”
The 31-year-old Ivorian made a shocking return to the Serie A this summer under the newly promoted Parma from the Chinese Super League side, Hebei China Fortune. The Chinese adventure was one momentarily erased the AFCON winner from the global stage after as it was marked with injuries and lapses of form. He is however really back now. The former Arsenal forward who also struggled in North London is showing signs of his long term love affair with the Italian soil. Gervinho soared at AS Roma playing alongside Mohamed Salah and Edin Dzeko and he announced himself again over the weekend, scoring for Parma in their 2-1 loss to the Serie A champions, Juventus. Even though he is yet to regain full fitness, there was evidence that his quick dancing feet and killer instinct is a thing for eternity, something no injury or football league could take away.In fact, in the Juventus match, only Douglas Costa completed more dribbles than Gervinho, not even Ronaldo could match the Ivorian. Parma manager was full of praise for the forward and did acknowledge the Ivorian’s ability singling him out as one for the key ingredients to his success formula.
Alex Sandro of Juventus competes for the ball with Gervinho of Parma Calcio during the serie A match between Parma Calcio and Juventus at Stadio Ennio Tardini on September 1, 2018 in Parma, Italy.
(Aug. 31, 2018 - Source: Marco Luzzani/Getty Images Europe)
Yaya Toure
“I am as hungry for success now as I was when I first arrived here many years ago and I cannot wait to help the club win the trophies the great fans of Olympiakos deserve. It is now time to let my football do the talking once again.”
After Yaya’s agent had teased the whole of London, announcing that the free agent had completed a medical in London, the four time African Player of the Year returned to Olympiakos in Greece. The 35-year old was mobbed by the Greeks with lit-flares subjecting the Ivorian to a hero’s welcome.The sight in Greece was really something of the nature of a prodigal son being welcomed home and pretty much “Prince Charming” awaited to rescue the “Princess” from the giant castle guarded by the fiery dragon. After falling out of the domestic title race last time out, Olympiakos will be hoping that Yaya will pull off a Yaya and deliver the goods.
You can surely bet on the three time EPL Champion with Manchester City, AFCON winner and UEFA Champions League winner with Barcelona to live up to the hero status even when age seems to be catching up with him. Even in his own words, he sounds sharp and ready to roll.
Vincent Kompany of Manchester City embraces Yaya Toure of Manchester City as he is presented with a shirt in a frame during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Brighton and Hove Albion at Etihad Stadium on May 9, 2018 in Manchester, England.
(May 8, 2018 - Source: Gareth Copley/Getty Images Europe)
Do you remember the Ivorian, Gervinho? He’s back in the Italian Serie A
The AFCON winner and former Arsenal and Roma player is back in the Italian Serie A Parma’s books. The same time Ronaldo joined Juventus. Are we in for some serious fun?
The 31-year-old Ivory Coast international is still in the football world, as a player in case you had forgotten about him. The former Arsenal forward has returned to the Italian Serie A, signing for new boys, Parma after he was released by Hebei China Fortune.
Gervinho of the Ivory Coast in action during the International Friendly match between the Netherlands and Ivory Coast held at De Kuip or Stadion Feijenoord on June 4, 2017 in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
(June 3, 2017 - Source: Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images Europe)
The forward who neared legend status, at least in my opinion is back for a second spell in Italy having previously played for AS Roma. He appeared 88 times for Roma, scoring 26 goals in three seasons before moving to the Chinese Super League side, Hebei China Fortune where he only found the net 4 times in two-and-half years.
Gervinho has been capped 80 times for Ivory Coast and counting. He scored some 22 goals in those caps and won the African Cup of Nations trophy with the Elephants in 2015, having missed a sudden death penalty in the 2012 final when the Ivorians lost to Zambia. He played at two FIFA World Cups, 2010 and 2014 scoring some great goals as well.
He is apparently not done with the Italian Serie A. Will he create more moments magic before he calls time on his career?
Just in case you forgot what he can bring, check out the video below.