The fleeting rise and melancholy fall of Michu, the player the streets will never forget

Art by Tushar Dey

There are footballers you will never forget. Diego Maradona for his dribbling ability and flamboyant skills. Zinedine Zidane for the way he controlled and directed the midfield. Roberto Carlos for his stunning set pieces. Michu for his stay in Swansea.

Yes, comparing the Spanish striker with some of the greats mentioned here is a bit of a stretch, although seasons like Michu's in 2012/13 are few and far between. He has scored 22 times in all competitions for Swansea and has certainly adorned the love of the club's supporters, perhaps only for around a year. Nonetheless, in that brief period, thanks to his nonchalant style of play, his distinctive aura and simply the way he covered his ear with his hand when scoring, the Spaniard made himself someone whose Swans fans and the streets will always remember.

The 36-year-old now resides in his homeland after ending his playing days during which he suffered a fleeting rise and melancholy fall, appearing for numerous clubs in Spain, England and Spain. Italy in a fascinating journey.

Miguel Pérez Cuesta, also known as Michu, came through Real Oviedo's academy in northern Spain, initially making nine appearances for the Spanish Third Division side in the 2005/06 seasons and 2006/07. He scored three goals during that time before joining Celta Vigo in the summer of 2007.

In his first season with the club, Michu would make the majority of his appearances for the B team in the third tier of Spanish football, playing 28 times and scoring ten goals while making 14 appearances for the first team in which he scored once in Liga BBVA, Spain's second tier. From the following campaign, however, the Spaniard would become a first-team regular at Vigo. At 22, he was a bit late, although fr...