Football coursing through Philippe Bernabo-Madrid's veins
Article: Nathanael Merchant
Photo: Michael Daniel Photography
Colombian born striker Philippe Bernabo-Madrid has lived and breathed football since he can remember.
From his earliest memories as a four-year-old to the now 28-year-old self banging in goals for Gungahlin United, he has always known football. After all, football is part of his DNA.
“Growing up in Colombia, it was all about football," Bernabo-Madrid said. "You’d be picking up a ball in the morning till you couldn’t see anymore.
"My parents say I was kicking a ball as soon as I started walking. I was obsessed. I always dreamed of being a football player like Radamel Falcao."
After playing for Fair Play Academy in Bogota throughout his junior years, Bernabo-Madrid took a big leap and moved to Australia at the age of 15 to play in Canberra.
“It was tough at the time and obviously the football is very different," he shared. "Over in Columbia, we were told to express ourselves. I found the physicality difficult to start with and there was more structure than I was used to."
Yet Bernabo-Madrid isn't one to back down from challenges and eventually, he found himself enjoying the new style of football.
It has been over a decade since Bernabo-Madrid moved to Australia. During those 13 years, he led Canberra Olympic to a treble-winning season in 2016 and was influential in the side's fairytale run to the FFA Cup semi-finals.
After stints with Port Melbourne Sharks and Pascoe Vale in Victoria, Bernabo-Madrid has found himself in Canberra again, albeit wearing different colours.
“I hold Olympic very highly but I am very happy with things at Gungahlin," he said. "One of the main reasons why I signed with Gungahlin was the opportunity to work with Marcial [Munoz] again.
"I believe we can achieve some great things with the club."
Bernabo-Madrid and Gungahlin are favourites to claim more silverware this season, as they sit on top of the 2020 NPL1 ladder with two wins and a draw out of their first three games.
They face challengers Tigers FC on Sunday afternoon (9 August) at AIS Grass Field 1.
Match Details |
NPL1 Round 4
Gungahlin United vs Tigers
Kick-off 3pm, 9 August 2020
AIS Grass Field 1
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