Michael Essien's career-changing call from Mourinho on team bus

In the context of professional football, Michael Essien experienced a pivotal moment in his career while on a team bus in August 2012. At the time, Essien was playing for Chelsea in London, preparing for a match against Atletico Madrid for the UEFA Super Cup. Just before leaving the hotel, he received a phone call, which he initially hesitated to answer. His cousin encouraged him to pick up the call, suspecting it was from Jose Mourinho. It turned out to be True, and Mourinho informed Essien that discussions for his transfer to Real Madrid were underway. Seeking to make the transfer happen, Essien shouted for the bus driver to stop, quickly went back to the hotel to finalize matters with his agent. He then flew to Madrid with minimal belongings, only his football gear and a change of clothes. Essien's move marked a significant shift in his career, transitioning from a long-standing tenure at Chelsea, where he had become a vital part of a successful midfield alongside renowned players like Frank Lampard and Claude Makelele. Although he returned to Chelsea after his season with Real Madrid, he saw diminishing playing time and was unable to replicate his previous success with the club, eventually moving to AC Milan in 2014 and briefly serving as an assistant manager for Nordsjælland. His career has been defined by both his contributions to Chelsea and the unexpected transfer that occurred on that fateful bus ride.