The future of Jonathan Viera at Las Palmas remains unknown as the strange case of the veteran continues without clarity.
Viera, 34, is in his fourth spell with Las Palmas, and is regarded as perhaps Las Palmas’ most creative player. Ears pricked up in Gran Canaria several weeks ago though, after Viera stated he was just trying to enjoy things, as ‘I don’t have long left’ following a 2-1 victory over Celta Vigo.
He was benched by manager Francisco Javier Garcia Pimienta for that match, but came on to score and assist in that match. Viera spoke to the press two days later, as reported by Diario AS, declaring the following.
“I’ve been thinking about it for a long time and the other day it came out like this. I am not a person who thinks things through before saying them and that is why I have had so many problems in my career. What I said had a very big impact but things turn out the way they turn out. If anyone has earned the right to decide how and when to go out, it is me.”
Again starting on the bench in their victory over Villarreal before the international break, President Miguel Angel Ramirez admitted that Viera would be allowed to leave whenever he wanted for free, despite having a contract until 2026.
Ahead of their 1-0 defeat to Rayo Vallecano, Garcia Pimienta declared that they were pulling in the same direction, and both wanted the same thing – ‘to beat Rayo Vallecano.’ Yet come game time, Viera was not even included in the squad as his side went down.
After the match, Garcia said that ‘I don’t know’ when he’ll return. “While I am the coach the 23 players that I consider appropriate will be there.”
With little information on what is going on behind the scenes from either Viera or the club, Las Palmas fans remain in the dark. For Viera, who has become a cult hero, it’s causing something of a stir even amongst his most loyal fans, and perhaps more importantly, arguably hurting them on the pitch.
