Striker reveals Zubeldía chat, explains Turkey move | OneFootball

Striker reveals Zubeldía chat, explains Turkey move | OneFootball

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AVANTE MEU TRICOLOR

·22 Oktober 2025

Striker reveals Zubeldía chat, explains Turkey move

Gambar artikel:Striker reveals Zubeldía chat, explains Turkey move

The forward Juan, who emerged from the youth categories in Cotia at São Paulo, ended up being negatively marked by the fans, who didn't have much patience with the young player and didn't quite approve of his 82 appearances wearing the Tricolor jersey, between 2019 and 2024.

He left for Goztepe, in Turkey, where he has been carving out his space, which wasn't happening much at the Morumbi club, as the player himself explained.


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“It's very comfortable to just be part of the squad, but it wasn't what I wanted for myself. It was very gratifying to be a champion at São Paulo (Copa do Brasil 2023), I think I could have left a little later, but that was the scenario,” said Juan in words to GE.com.

“I could only write something by playing. Being part of it is very good, but contributing is much better. I spent about three years in the professional team, waited for my time, and when I saw it was the moment, I left to develop and produce more,” he continued.

In his Tricolor days, however, he doesn't blame anyone for his lack of space, as the competition was tough, especially with Calleri, in the forward position. Juan revealed a conversation he had with the former coach Luis Zubeldía to decide on his departure from the club.

“I only have positive things to say. Zubeldía was very supportive, I had many conversations with him, I understood my moment too, that I needed minutes, to play, to have a longer sequence. The departure was solely for that reason, I knew my potential, that I could develop. He had his options, the first, the second, and I fought for my space. I respected his choices, but I said I would like to play more. When I went to talk to him, he gave me full support to make my decision.”

I had about two or three conversations with Muricy. And it's even good for the guy to really understand the reality, a guy as successful as he is to discuss matters with you. In my case, it was about patience. It was one of the best years Calleri had in his career and I wasn't playing wide yet, as I went on to do with Dorival, I was only playing as a center forward,” said the forward.

“You push yourself to play, but you need to have patience. Muricy brought this balance to me, I understood that there are things that are not in our control. It was about working and being available. He saw my work,” the athlete continued.

There were seven goals and five assists for the Tricolor, with the titles of the Copa do Brasil 23 and Supercopa 24 won. And Juan fondly recalls the special moments he lived with São Paulo at the start of his career, already with great titles and classic victories.

“I think the year we were champions of the Copa do Brasil was a very cool year, I was able to contribute to the title, I had games with Dorival, it was a moment that became more remarkable. The game at Neo Química Arena, Luciano's goal that started with my play, the game at Allianz (against Palmeiras). I had other moments, my first goal, but that year was very special,” Juan recalled.

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

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