Journeyman Jefte the former electrician shocks Real Madrid

ALBACETE, Spain, Jan 15 : Albacete's journeyman striker Jefte Betancor, who scored a stunning double on Wednesday to help his second-tier side knock Real Madrid out of the Copa del Rey, once considered swapping football for a career as an electrician.

The 32-year-old forward came off the bench in the second half at the Carlos Belmonte Stadium to score in the 81st minute and make it 2-1, before sealing a 3-2 upset victory with another goal in added time.

His goals ensured a bitter debut for Real Madrid's new manager Alvaro Arbeloa and sent shockwaves through Spanish football.

For Jefte, it was a fairytale moment in a career packed with twists and turns across Europe.

Born in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria in 1993, he began his journey at Hercules before playing for an array of mostly lower-league Spanish sides, including Tenerife B, Eldense, and UD San Fernando.

Failing to establish himself at home, Jefte ventured abroad to Austria's Stadl-Paura in the Third Division, a move that launched a nomadic career spanning stints in Austria, Romania, and Greece.

Currently on loan at Albacete from Olympiacos, Jefte finally found the spotlight, but his road to Wednesday's heroics might never have been paved had Jefte followed through on retiring from football nearly a decade ago.

Disillusioned and mentally drained, he left the sport for six months and took up work as an electrician.

"My head wasn't in the right place," Jefte reflected post-match. "I quit football and started working and training in my neighbourhood. I wanted to clear my mind. With help from my family and psychologist, I returned, and today it feels so rewarding. Nine years ago, I couldn't have imagined this moment."

Jefte's double strike capped an emotional evening for him and