Santiago Gimenez bolsters FC Porto's attack | OneFootball

“The desire was immense,” and in the end that wish became reality. In his first statements as an FC Porto player, Santiago Gimenez said he has “a lot of hunger and an inner fire” to show his worth and promised to “give my life for FC Porto and leave everything on the pitch to make the most of this great opportunity”: “Every time I play, I’ll always have the flame burning. Together we will achieve important things.”

“I really love the feeling of giving the fans goals to celebrate, I focus a lot on that. I’m a fast, powerful player who really likes to attack the space behind the defense, and I can bring a mix of Mexican and Argentine grit,” said the 25-year-old striker, who will now “be one more brother” in an “incredible team” representing “a fantastic city full of wonderful people.”

Instant delight

“I’m very happy. My first impressions are fantastic. I’ve already seen the Estádio do Dragão and the city, and I was very impressed. I’m delighted with what I’ve seen so far, and it’s only the first day.”

The striker’s qualities

“My main strength is scoring goals. I really love the feeling of giving the fans goals to celebrate, I focus a lot on that. On top of that, I’m a fast, powerful player who really likes to attack the space behind the defense.”

A new stage in his career

“It was a very important decision, because I want to keep writing my own story and feel important. Throughout my career, I’ve always played for big teams, and FC Porto is another one of them. This is a stage that will add a lot to my journey. I really want to build great chemistry with the team and the fans so I can keep growing and winning more trophies. It’s very good to be here.”

The beginning at Cruz Azul

“My debut for Cruz Azul was something incredible, a dream. I remember perfectly that I was very nervous, but in the end I felt that all the sacrifices I had made as a child had been worth it, because I was able to fulfill the dream of playing in the First Division. From that moment on, I dedicated myself 100% to football, and I always wanted to have a successful career in Europe. Thank God, I’m making it happen.”

A special occasion with his father

“That happened in a friendly match. I played alongside my father, who was still a Cruz Azul player at the time. It was something unique and incredible that had never crossed my mind. I went from playing PlayStation with him to playing alongside him in real life, it was incredible.”

The European dream

“Coming to Europe was my childhood dream, but I knew that to achieve it, I had to do well in Mexico. Fortunately, we managed to win the league after a 23-year drought, and that paved the way for my move here.”

The top-scoring Mexican in the Netherlands

“It was very important to reach that status. I grew a lot as a player, I only had football and Feyenoord on my mind, that was all that mattered. We were a big family, and I always felt special affection from the fans, which drove me to give everything on the pitch and score even more goals. A player never thinks about records, they just happen. Fortunately, I managed to score a lot of goals in the Netherlands, and those historic marks came along.”

The experience gained

“Without a doubt, my past experiences prepared me to arrive here. Everyone was able to see my growth at Cruz Azul and the reward I got from that same development at Feyenoord. At AC Milan I wasn’t at the level I would have liked, but they were years of a lot of learning. Now I’m going to combine all that experience. I feel like a new person, and this is a new opportunity. I’m very hungry and have an inner fire; here I want to show what I’m made of.”

The flame always burning

“The spirit of the team is something that really impresses me. I have a motto, which is to always play with the flame burning. That’s how I see FC Porto. As a family, as a team that always trains and plays with the flame burning. From the first conversation I had with former teammates who play here at FC Porto, they all told me that the team is a family and that people like players to give everything on the pitch, even more than just scoring goals. I want to give my life for FC Porto, I’m going to leave everything on the pitch, and I want to make the most of this great opportunity I’ve been given.”

The references linked to FC Porto

“I had the opportunity to speak with many former teammates who were at FC Porto. The first was Inbeom Hwang, who is currently part of the squad. I also spoke with Eustáquio, with whom I played at Cruz Azul, with Igor Lichnovsky, who is a great friend and also played here, with Miguel Layún, with Jorge Sánchez, and with Héctor Herrera. At AC Milan I was coached by Sérgio Conceição, so I have many indirect links to FC Porto, and they all told me the same thing: that it is an incredible team, that the city is fantastic, and that the people are wonderful. So when FC Porto called me, I didn’t think twice and told my agents that I wanted to come.”

The conversation with Francesco Farioli

“I had the opportunity to speak with him at one point during the negotiations, and he assured me that he wanted me in the squad. He told me something very important: that this is the best group he has ever been part of, that it is a true family. That is very important when making a decision. I’m only thinking about adding something to this group, and I want my teammates to know that they now have one more brother in the family.”

The identity he wants to bring

“I feel that I can bring to FC Porto a mix of Mexican and Argentine grit. It’s something I identify with, I play with that passion, and I want to infect my teammates with this passion that I have. I know FC Porto has it too, so all I have to do is add even more and bring a lot of love and affection. As I said, I want to be a brother to my teammates and to the entire Porto family.”

An attentive supporter

“I watched all of FC Porto’s matches this season and fortunately they won them all. I really wanted to come here.”

The next steps

“I want to start training, spending time with my teammates, with the coach, and with the technical staff. I’m focused on giving my all in training so that I can then enjoy this wonderful stadium and these fantastic fans. Scoring goals here would be wonderful.”

The portrait of FC Porto

“The fans are very passionate about the Club. The demands at FC Porto are very high; I was told that the priority has to be winning championships and that this stadium and this city are very welcoming. I heard the word family many times during this period, and that was something I really liked.”

“I want to tell the fans that they are going to see a Santiago Gimenez who will give everything for this club, who every time he plays will always have the flame burning. Together we will achieve important things.”

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