Parma, Pellegrino: "Feels like home, dreaming of World Cup" | OneFootball

Mateo Pellegrino, Parma striker and footballing son (his father is former Valencia coach Mauricio Pellegrino, ed.), gave a lengthy exclusive interview to SportMediaset, offering an in-depth overview of his life in Italy, his professional journey, and his ambitions, both present and future.

Parma, Pellegrino opens up: “This is home, I dream of the World Cup and play fantasy football”

Pellegrino describes his personal moment with great clarity: “I feel good, very good. The season is still in its early stages, we know we need to grow and improve in several areas. I’m happy, but aware that we can do more.”

The player arrived in Parma in January and settled in immediately: “I feel great in Parma. I’m learning Italian, even though I still have some difficulties. Settling in went beyond my expectations.”

A key part of the interview concerns the differences between the two leagues: “Here in Italy, tactical preparation is much more structured. In Argentina, football is more instinctive, more of a battle. They’re two really different worlds.”

Pellegrino prefers to keep his feet on the ground. And when asked if he could become the new Crespo, he’s clear: “The comparison is too big. He achieved so much. I always try to give my best and we’ll see what I become in the future.”

Parma is the youngest club in the league, led by the youngest coach, Fabio Cuesta. For Pellegrino, this is an added value: “It gives us a big boost. We’re young, full of energy, with a great desire to grow. Sometimes we lack a bit of experience, but the motivation is huge.”

Pellegrino made his debut in yellow and blue under Cristian Chivu, now at Inter: “They’re both wonderful people. Different in their way of working, both tactically and personally, but both are great figures.” And on Chivu leading a big club: “He did really well with us. If he’s ready for a top club, only he knows.”

With dual citizenship, Pellegrino could choose between Argentina and Spain for the 2026 World Cup. For now, however, he doesn’t commit: “Today I’m focusing only on Parma. No national team has called me, I need to work and improve. When the time comes, I’ll decide.”

A footballing son, Pellegrino has always lived with the expectations tied to his family name: “It hasn’t always been easy, but over time I’ve proven my worth. I never thought of quitting, because I knew what I wanted: to live my dream as a footballer.”

No yoga, just meditation. A habit born on his brother’s advice four or five years ago: “I practice it every day. It helps me a lot, not just in football but in life in general.”

Among his wishes, one stands out above all: “To play in the World Cup.” A motivation that guides his daily journey.

Looking ahead to the Emilia derby against Bologna, Pellegrino appears determined: “We’re ready. We’ll do everything possible to win.”

And on fantasy football, he confirms he plays with some teammates: “Yes, we play among ourselves. I didn’t buy myself, a teammate did. I hope to score as many points as possible for them.”

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.