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Michu explains drop from Swansea City to Spanish fourth-tier (video)

Norwich City v Swansea City - Premier League

NORWICH, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 15: Nathan Dyer of Swansea City (L) is congratulated by teammate Michu after scoring his side’s first goal during the Premier League match between Norwich City and Swansea City at Carrow Road on December 15, 2013 in Norwich, England. (Photo by Harry Engels/Getty Images)

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As we get ready for two massive Premier League matches and a clash for Europe between Liverpool and Man City, a sobering story from Wales.

There are few stories as odd as the rise and fall of Michu, and the striker went on Swans TV to give some clarity on how he went from 39 goals in two seasons to the fourth-tier of Spanish football.

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Michu, 29, used a 17-goal season at Rayo Vallecano to secure a move to Swans in 2012, and subsequently netted 22 times in all competitions (18 in the Premier League).

He scored as Swans knocked off Chelsea and then Bradford City to win the League Cup, and scored four times in Europa League, but ended up going to Napoli on loan before Swans canceled his contract last season.

So how does a player get to the fourth-tier from there? From Swans TV:

“When you live with a pain a long time and it doesn’t go away, some thoughts of quitting come into your mind. I could live without a lot of money and be happy but I would not be able to live without football. The day I would not be able to play again would be the saddest day of my life.”

Now certainly it wasn’t all debilitating ankle pain that caused Michu to leave Swans for Italy, but in retrospect this shows another side of the player. And considering he joined a pair of other Oviedo alums in giving money to keep them afloat a few years back, the game sure means a lot to the man.

Click to 4:38 on this video to learn more:

Follow @NicholasMendola