Portal dos Dragões
·14 ottobre 2025
Alan Varela on Otamendi, his dream and a question that got a “wow…”

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Yahoo sportsPortal dos Dragões
·14 ottobre 2025
In September, you received, for the first time, a call-up to the Argentina national team. How did you find out the news and where were you?
—They told me on the day of the match against Gil Vicente, a few hours before kick-off. It was fantastic news for me. I work hard for these opportunities and I’m very happy to have been called up; my family was also very happy. It was phenomenal.
Were you expecting to be called up again during this international break?
—I wasn’t called up this time, but I have to keep working to give my all at FC Porto and try to return to the national team. I have well-defined personal goals.
I imagine one of your goals is to be called up for next year’s World Cup…
—Without a doubt. If I work to the maximum, I believe I’ll have that chance. I’m not satisfied with just the first call-up; I want to be at the World Cup. It would be the realization of a great dream.
Being there, training with the best player in the world, was fantastic. It’s something I will never forget
What was it like to be at Messi’s last match on Argentine soil?
—It was, without a doubt, incredible. Training with the best player in the world was spectacular and it will always stay in my memory. I’m very pleased to have shared those moments with him.
Did you give him a hard time in training?
—Actually, yes! [laughs] Messi is a tremendous player. I admire him a lot and I’m very grateful to him for everything he has given and continues to give to Argentina.
You also crossed paths with Otamendi, with whom you have a rivalry in Portugal. Do you have a good relationship?
—Yes. The atmosphere in the national team is excellent and everyone is very close. Otamendi welcomed me very well; there’s great humility in the way they receive us and talk to us… that welcome benefits us all.
But weren’t there any jibes because of the rivalry between FC Porto and Benfica?
—No, those matters are left aside. It’s a different reality there.
Challenged to think fast, Alan Varela only ‘shook’ on the last two questions…
—Who is the toughest teammate to face in training?
—
—Who takes on the locker room DJ role? —Everyone contributes a bit. Sometimes it’s Nehuén [Pérez], other times me, William, the —Who was the toughest opponent you’ve ever faced? —Paulo Dybala, in the clashes with Roma last season.
—What’s your favorite Portuguese dish?
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.