6 months ago
21
Members of the Reggae Boyz family at the historic World Cup qualification in 1998 remember Brazilian Jose Camago, who passed away in his homeland at the weekend, as a consummate professional and a warm personality.
Former Reggae Boyz captain Warren Barrett recalled the former masseur as a very jovial and energetic person, who was extremely thorough in his duties.
“He was very professional. He knew his job inside out, and knew exactly what to do to get the players up and performing at their optimum,” Barrett said.
He noted that when head coach René Simoes brought along his backroom staff, everyone was open to the treatment Camago offered, although they were not used to having a masseur on board.
“The players took it on with enthusiasm. They understood it was a means of recovery and keeping players fresh for the next session or game,” he said.
However, overall he thought the Brazilian had one of the biggest and warmest personalities in the group at the time.
“His personality was first class. He had a good relationship with every player. Personally, I had many one-on-one conversations with him on many occasions while I got massages from him. He was very infectious and loved by everyone.
“My deepest condolences to his family and extended family and the nation of Brazil and the technical staff he worked with.
“My heart goes out to his son Pablo, who was very close to us as well and worked with the national team in the early 2000s.”
Barrett added that the United Kingdom-based players are also mourning the loss. “I shared the news in a group with some former United Kingdom-based players and they are deeply saddened also, and they have been reminiscing on the good times with him in the national team.
“Jose played his part in the history of this nation’s football and he surely will not be forgotten,” Barrett stated.
Loved by everyone
Director of Football, Wendell Downswell, who was a part of the 1998 technical staff, also said Camago was a top professional and loved by everyone.
“I remembered when we went to Brazil, the type of treatment we received from him.
“When we went out on the pitch, he understood the game so much that he knew when we should speed it up or slow it down.
“There was so much that he brought, not just the expertise of his profession.
“He was a consummate professional and will be remembered by all for his professionalism, and to top it off he had the warmest personality.
“Condolences to his family and especially his son Pablo, who brought the profession to the next level,” he said.
Jose worked in coordination with different team doctors to get the injured players back in action in the shortest possible time and JFF president Michael Ricketts said they benefited considerably from his knowledge and expertise.
“Jamaica’s football benefited immensely from his expertise and dedication. He worked tirelessly behind the scene to ensure that the players were fit and ready when called.
“I want to extend profound condolences to his son Pablo, his other family members and friends, and say a final thank you for all that he did for our football programme,” Ricketts said.
English (US) ·