"I know they were upset I left, I was upset to leave."
 
"But when things in China didn't work out, the simple fact is that Adelaide United didn't offer me a contract to come back, even though I wanted to.
 
"That is a fact."
 
Leaving Adelaide United for Henan Jianye, a club in the Chinese Super League, didn't work out as well as Marcos has hoped, where he says - by his own admission - he failed to find his feet.
 
"China, in a cultural way is something amazing," he explains. "But as a footballer you have an early perception about whether things will work out for you or not."
 
"I knew early on it wasn't going to work out there, for a number of reasons."
 
When Marcos and his Chinese club decided to mutually terminate his contract, he had no doubts as to where he wanted to return to - a place he considered like a second home, Adelaide.
 
"So I waited for Adelaide until they told me it wasn't going to happen, and then Melbourne Victory came up," says Marcos, "and it was a fantastic opportunity for me.
 
"I couldn't say no."
 
Marcos is the first to admit that his first and only season at Melbourne Victory was disappointing, for both him as a player, and the fans who had such high expectations of him.
 
"If the structure is not perfect for you - you will not show what you can do," he says.
 
"And it wasn't that there was anything wrong with the structure at Victory - it just didn't suit me.
 
"I played like a different Marcos Flores and I knew by the end of the season, that I couldn't help the team by being there."
 
Marcos admits his disappointing stint at Melbourne Victory caused him to doubt himself and his ability.
 
"I was getting hammered from everyone, from Adelaide supporters, Victory supporters," he admits. "And when Graham Arnold stepped in and showed such confidence in bringing me back, I asked him: 'But are you sure I can do it?'"
 
Right now, the new Central Coast Mariners #10 is feeling very happy and content of which he credits mainly the change room for his new positive outlook.
 
"It's a beautiful team culture at the Mariners - when you run out on the field, its like you are running next to 11 brothers," he reveals.
 
"Sometimes I feel like we are like amateurs, we are so relaxed and get along so well.
 
Marcos is clear on his vision for his place at the Mariners and beyond his football career - and that is to be an inspiration for young kids.
 
"When I was 12 years old I was going to the bank with my Mum and I met a professional football player," he says.
 
"He rubbed my head and told me to train hard.
 
"I know, it sounds easy to say, but those words meant something to me. 
 
"I want kids of Gosford to see the Mariners as their team, not the teams in Europe", he says. "Of course, watch those leagues too, but if you want to play football, fight for your dream to play in the A-League.
 
"The league is improving every day, and so am I."
 
Marcos Flores, despite the rollercoaster that has been his football career, is adamant that every decision he has made, he has done so for a reason.
 
"The day I joined Central Coast Mariners," he says, "I spoke in front of hundreds of fans and told them that I never, ever regret one step I made in my past because every step forward, right, left, backwards... brought me to the place I am at right now in my life.
 
"I am so in love with this country and my dream, even after all these years, is still alive.
 
"And it is to play until my legs tell me they don't work anymore."
 
  •  Kat Caravella is a journalist and wonderWAG as the other half of Newcastle Jets star Zenon Caravella, who gives au.FourFourTwo.com her unique insight to the lives of A-League families. In addition to her own blog at mammasvida.com.au, she is also co-owner of online wine merchants www.redwhiteandbubbles.com.au. You can follow her on Twitter on @KatCaravella