Enric Gallego shines for CD Tenerife in LaLiga

A sus 40 años, el delantero del CD Tenerife Enric Gallego destaca como uno de los máximos goleadores de LaLiga Hypermotion, situando a su equipo en la décima segunda posición con tres victorias, cinco empates y tres derrotas.

From Cold-Storage Warehouses to Professional Pitches

Far from a conventional footballing upbringing, Gallego spent his twenties working nights in cold-storage warehouses, installing industrial air conditioning, and driving trucks while playing in the Catalan regional leagues.

A Blocked Path and Truck Driving Shifts

Gallego’s journey to professional football remained blocked for years. After two seasons without competing as a youth player due to a team suspension and failed trials at local clubs, he continued playing casual matches with friends until joining Buen Pastor and later Alzamora. Earning just 175 euros for petrol at the Catalan club, he obtained a truck driver’s license to support himself. His most demanding stint involved mounting industrial refrigeration for supermarket chains during 21 nights of shift work, enduring two minor highway scares when micro-sleeps caught him driving between Barcelona and Girona.

The 2018 Winter Turning Point

The turning point arrived in January 2018 when Extremadura paid his release clause to Cornellà during the winter transfer window. Scoring 10 goals in 14 matches, he helped Extremadura achieve promotion against Cartagena before scoring four goals in a single match against Reus in Segunda División. That performance earned him a January 2019 transfer to Huesca in LaLiga EA Sports, where he debuted against Atlético Madrid opposite Diego Godín and José María Giménez.

Tactical Value in Tenerife’s 4-4-2

Under the tactical setup of manager Álvaro Cervera, Gallego plays a vital role in Tenerife’s 4-4-2 reactive system. Gallego has completed 88 passes this season while winning 58 duels—36 of them in the air—alongside 25 recoveries. His role centers on occupying central defenders, holding up the ball, and absorbing physical contact for the team.

Chasing Renewal and the Segunda Scoring Lead

With 200 official appearances for the club, Gallego is approaching an automatic contract renewal clause. If he scores more than 10 official goals and meets the required appearance thresholds, his contract will extend through June 30, 2028, when he would be 41 years old. He currently shares the Segunda División scoring lead with Adri Fuentes (Mallorca), Álvaro Marín (Celta Fortuna), and Miguel De la Fuente (Almería).

Reflecting on his late emergence in professional football at age 31, Gallego maintains that his ego remains grounded. Having shared a dressing room with teammates born after he began his adult life, he focuses on mentoring younger players. As for his career longevity, he trains daily without missing sessions and intends to continue playing until he feels he is dragging himself across the pitch, with future plans pointing toward joining a coaching staff rather than taking charge as a head coach.

Tenerife faces Andorra at the Heliodoro stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for Sunday at 21:00.