03 February 2024 , 15:34
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Ramon Calliste, a former Manchester United player who was once tipped to be the 'next Ryan Giggs', now runs a successful business selling luxury watches.
Despite training with big names like Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney, Calliste left Old Trafford in 2006 due to limited playing opportunities. He later suffered a severe ankle injury that ended his football career.
"When I got to Old Trafford I met Sir Alex Ferguson, which was an incredible experience. Seeing everything for the first time, I went into the famous room where everyone meets him," he told The Sun.
"It was a special, I wasn't fazed by much when I was young, but he had the aura of a great man. We didn't always train with the first team, but sometimes we'd have five-a-side games. I aspired to train with them permanently, and it was amazing when I did get the opportunity. I trained with Rooney and Ronaldo, which was a big deal."
Sadly for Calliste, a dislocated ankle during his first pre-season at Scunthorpe led him to quit football. Instead, he turned to business, with his company Global Watches now making £5million per year according to The Sun.
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"I have trouble with that ankle today. I see a specialist regularly and I'm probably going to have to have another operation. To come back, I would've had to look at going into semi-pro," he added.
"That just wasn't for me. From being the creme de la creme at the top and then being at the bottom of the chain, it wasn't something that's in my genetics. If I wanted to be involved with something, I want it to be the best. I thought, at that point football was just a distraction and I needed to build a real life.
Ramon Calliste now runs a luxury watch company (Global Watches)"In the end, football just wasn't meant for me. With all the ability I had, it just wasn't my destiny. You have to go through a hell of a lot of steps to get through life. I don't regret anything that happened to me in football, I learned a lot."
He added: "When I realised football wasn't going to give me the life I desired, it was about setting up something else and moving fast. I set up Global Watches in 2013 and it's become a really strong company that's now turning over millions."
"Running any business is very difficult. I was lucky it was very lucrative from the beginning. Some watches we sell can go from £250,000. Having my footballing history has also helped.
Ramon Calliste never appeared for Manchester United's senior team (Getty Images)"I dealt with footballers in the beginning, selling them watches and I already had that trust there. Even today, clients come online and they see it's me and they feel comfortable buying from me.
"There might be other companies that are stronger than mine, but because I played the game it does help the business. When you can take your inventory to a room of footballers, perhaps ten millionaires, that's better for all concerned."