Morten’s older brother, Peter, remembers his childhood with football and is proud of his family as the midfielder arrives at Sporting
It follows the football life story of the Hjulmand brothers: they are both footballers and also play…in the same position. “I’m a little older than Morten, about 3 years older. As a child we always played with each other, before and after school. Football is everything to us, it was and still is a big part of our lives. Our parents supported us a lot in our childhood.” “They always took us to training and matches and watched us from the stands,” Peter, a journalist by profession, begins by telling us when he was on his way to train at Tårnby FF, the Danish amateur club. “We train 3 times a week and play on the weekends,” he explained.
After all, what reason did Peter have to think he could have been in Morten’s place at Sporting? The explanation lies with those who know them best. “Our father told me many times that I have more potential than him, but Morten is very disciplined and focused. I think that’s the big difference between the two. He actually said that he looks at me as an inspiration, because he saw the ‘difficult times I went through and learned from them.’ So, I think I can say that I also had an influence on Morten’s development (laughs),” he joked, full of “pride” for his brother’s trip to Alvalade, but also a hint of “envy.” “I always tell you that if you hadn’t had me as a brother Growing up, I would never have been a good footballer. So you can give me all the credit!”
A “crazy” month for Sporting and the national team
At the age of 24, Morten Heulmand arrives at Sporting after training in Copenhagen, and having come to the spotlight at Austria’s Admira Wacker and Italy’s Lecce. When he learned of the Lions’ interest, the midfielder was quick to share the news with his family, making everyone “proud.” “Sporting is a big club. Everyone who watches football in Denmark knows that Sporting is a giant in Europe. When he had the opportunity to go to Sporting we were very excited for him. Being able to play for such a big club is great.” “A sign that he is successful,” the older brother assumes, certain that Morten and his girlfriend Emily are “very happy” in Lisbon. “When I spoke to him, he seemed very happy with the decision he made. We, as a family, and I as a brother, are very proud. I talk to him regularly on the cell phone, since at the moment there is a lot of distance between us, and we exchange messages almost every day.”
Just over a month and a half after being officially approved as Sporting’s reinforcement, until 2028, the Whites’ 42nd has already seen a lot: his debut for the club (on 18 August, against Casa Pia); Debut to be recorded (on September 17, against Moreirense); And his first international match with Denmark (on September 7 against San Marino). In short, a “crazy month.” “Even for me, it was like that, because when I wrote the article it was like a trip into our past. I’m very proud. Going to Sporting and making my debut for the Danish national team were two great achievements. For him, it was a big achievement.” “The dream has become a reality, a dream we have shared since childhood.”
Now comes the family’s next goal: to bring Peter to Lisbon so he can watch his brother play in Alvalade for the first time. “I would love to! Now I’m studying, and I don’t have a lot of money. When I have some savings, I would like to see one of his games. It would be an honor to be able to feel that atmosphere in the stadium and see him in a Sporting shirt. My parents were in Lisbon when he signed the contract And they loved it! When they arrived they told me that I should go and visit Morten and Lisbon, because it is a great city, and that “the club has very friendly and professional people. It’s a very good place for him,” said Peter, ending his speech with hope: “Sporting deserve the cup, and I hope he can help the team achieve that. And to always do what makes him do it.” Happy.
Written by Ricardo Granada
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