RAYADOS de Monterrey’s kit man happens to be none other than Puskas-winning Erik Lamela.
The former Tottenham star, 34, was forced into an early retirement with a hip injury that called for TWO surgeries.
Erik Lamela is registered as CF Monterrey’s kit man at the age of 34 Credit: AFP
The ace is still doing his coaching badges and cannot be an official coach until completed Credit: Instagram / rayados
But 12 months after hanging up his boots at AEK Athens, he’s back out earning his coaching badges in the guise of Monterrey’s kit man.
While he effectively operates as an assistant coach – mirroring his time at Sevilla – he can’t hold the official title yet because he lacks the required license under Article 17.1 of Liga MX statutes.
Goalkeeping coach Fabian Donelli faces the same restriction.
But with the UEFA Pro coaching course taking a year to complete, it’s possible that they’ll be named in Matias Almeyda’s coaching staff soon.
Lamela began his path to stardom at South American giants River Plate and then Roma, before joining Spurs in a deal worth £25.7million in 2013.
He arrived at White Hart Lane in the same window that Spurs sold to for a world-record fee.
And while fellow wide man Lamela was not as productive as Bale, he still endeared himself to Tottenham fans with his tireless running and catalogue of memorable moments.
One of the fan favourites came with a 20-yard rabona in the in 2014 before he won the Puskas Award for scoring another rabona in the North London Derby seven years later.
Lamela hung up his boots at AEK Athens in August 2025 Credit: Getty
After over 250 Tottenham games and late-career spells at and AEK Athens, Lamela returned to Sevilla as a coach after hanging up his boots.
His starpower caught the attention of Alejandro Sabella and then of Gerardo Tata Martino who called him up to the national team.
He made appearances in the qualifiers for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and in the 2015 and 2016 Copa Americas, where he won the double championship.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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