You could tell that he really loves the Philippines.
Philippine Men’s National Football Team captain Neil Etheridge is back in the country after suiting up for Birmingham City FC in the 19th season of the English Football League (EFL) Championship. After finishing 17th in the game’s second-highest division in all of England, the 33-year-old goalkeeper decided that a return to his motherland was the next best move. Oh, and the Azkals’ top dog (pun intended) didn’t fly back home alone.
Yep, the EFL veteran and Philippine team stalwart, had his beautiful family joining him in the long-haul flight to Manila—a place Etheridge calls his “second home.”
On Instagram, Etheridge documented his fam’s 17-hour plane trip, from Birmingham to Manila. With Kanye West’s Touch the Sky booming as the background music, Neil’s lovely wife and cute daughter stood out as the main stars of the amusing IG post.
“Take off back to my second home 🇵🇭 Family Holiday to see more Family & Friends Part I,” the 6-foot-2 goalie wrote.
Apparently, the Filipino-English football star is back in the Philippines mainly for vacation. And for him, there’s no better way to decompress than spending the offseason in the Philippines with his loved ones. More importantly, as the caption on his post suggests, the Etheridges’ fabulous mini-movie has a sequel.
On Tuesday, Neil’s entire crew has landed in Manila. One could just feel his excitement from the IG story he posted on Tuesday. Their first stop was at the posh Ascott hotel in Bonifacio Global City.
Before getting back into the thick of his football duties both with Birmingham and the national team, it seems like Captain Neil will be devoting much of his time bonding with family and friends. Why not? It’s a one way of recharging, and replenishing one’s competitive spirit.
(GM)