Every player has a journey to share, although few are as unusual as Luis Binks’ tale, recounted beneath the palm trees at Scotland’s temporary training base in La Manga.
The 25-year-old Brondby captain and central defender is hoping to earn his first Scotland appearance against Slovenia on Saturday. A position in the middle of Sebastien Pocognoli’s back line became available after the Belgian replaced Steve Clarke and left out Grant Hanley and John Souttar.
Eligible through a grandparent from Dunbar, Binks is one of eight players in the new coach’s squad who have yet to win an international cap.
The refreshed group therefore brings together numerous unfamiliar faces and fascinating personal journeys.
Binks recalls his first weeks with Montreal Impact in MLS between February and March 2020. Then aged 18, he says: “I had been with Tottenham from a very young age, but my priority was to leave and experience senior football.
“I was determined not to become trapped in the academy pathway. To me, that environment did not feel like genuine first-team football, and I wanted to challenge myself.”
That ambition took him to Montreal, where the legendary Thierry Henry was in charge.
“I joined in February, and the Covid lockdown began the following month,” he explains. “I had not secured an apartment by then. Thierry and I were staying in separate hotels, but mine subsequently closed.
“He was the only person staying at the Ritz. The club planned to relocate me to a hotel near the airport, but I resisted because the surrounding area had nothing to offer and the place felt almost like a prison. Then Thierry called and asked whether I wanted to stay at his hotel on another floor.”
Despite having 129 rooms, the five-star Ritz-Carlton had just two guests: Henry and Binks.
“I would head out for a morning run and see him sitting alone in reception. He would often still be there when I returned, so I spent several hours talking with him and learning as much as possible.
“One evening, while I was in my room playing PlayStation, he phoned and suggested getting a pizza. The two of us ended up driving through Montreal searching for one. It felt strange, but that was our reality at the time.
“I speak about him casually now, but he has an extraordinary presence. I was nervous then, although I still asked which defenders he considered the best he had played alongside and faced, as well as what made them special. Those conversations were valuable.
“Some details are hazy now, but I clearly remember him discussing Sol Campbell, explaining the qualities that distinguished him and offering advice on how I could become a better defender.
“I remain deeply grateful to him because he provided my first opportunity in senior football.”
What do you feel about this post?
Like
Love
Happy
Haha
Sad
