Exequiel Palacios, the only world champion in the Bundesliga: “I asked Messi to stay in the national team for life”

When the Bundesliga resumes its tournament and in the last round of the 16th date -on two Sundays- Monchengladbach receives Bayern Leverkusen, it will have the only world champion in Qatar 2022 of German football on one of its fields: Exequiel Palacios. He is the midfielder who carries the Muñeco Gallardo brand in River and went to Europe at the age of 21 after winning two Argentine Cups (2016 and 2017), the 2018 Argentine Super Cup and the 2016 and 19 International Cup Winners’ Cups. beyond the unforgettable Madrid Libertadores 2018.

He was one of the first players to be called up Lionel Scaloni in which the re-foundation of the selection took place. A number set for the World Cup that was in doubt due to injuries that interrupted his shooting several times. “I didn’t see myself outside, but I knew I was running from behind”, admits in a virtual press conference attended by this newspaper. It was the first who, without knowing if his name would be in the final list, was encouraged to say that Argentina was ready to fight for the title. So no euphemisms.

He was so focused that a few days ago he returned to Germany and the locker room welcomed him exactly as he had dreamed of, like a world champion. At 23 he will have his statue in Tucumán, where he was born, he was declared an illustrious citizen in Santiago del Estero, the province of his blood, and San Martin, in the suburbs of Buenos Aires, where he grew up. The third star of the jersey, has its own sweat.

“I am lucky to experience all these things that football gives me, being so young. I’m grateful. The affection of the people has no explanation. I’ve been to Tucumán, Santiago, Buenos Aires. It’s a pride to be the only world champion in the Bundesliga, it’s a privilege. And I’m aware that now I have to prove it on the pitch,” he confessed clarion.

Palacios had to come in a moment after Lionel Messi’s goal – great goal – against Mexico. He did it in place of Alexis Mac Allister 24 minutes into the second half. His entry was a symbolic breath of fresh air after so much pressure, for what the defeat against Saudi Arabia meant, and concrete, because Tata Martino’s team had let go of the reins from behind. That was the only one who played for the group stage. He was due back for Nahuel Molina, against Australia, and Rodrigo De Paul, with Croatia. In total, he added 49 minutes split between Lusail and Ahmad Bin Ali.

“Of all the photos, I take the one from my debut against Mexico,” he says, emphasizing the importance of that match. What tools did the group use after the slap in the first game?, this newspaper wanted to know. “A line was lowered from above that we had to rest assured that there was material and good players to be able to reach the end. This was reflected later. The team and the group have never been nervous or uncomfortable because we knew what kind of players there were and game after game the group and the team improved” Who lowered the line? Messi after talking to the Argentines on the TV screen, asking for trust and that he wouldn’t let us down? But Exequiel doesn’t spoil the speech that will surely be a fundamental part of the chapter version of “Heroes” that some platforms are assembling at the moment.

“I keep it with the group. The coaching staff asked us to move on, which was the first game. Against Mexico we saw another face, another mentality, the arc opened and the team got stronger ”, he remarks. He was already convinced of all this and for this reason he was so optimistic even before the World Cup started. “The human group was reflected in the Copa América“, identifies the key milestone of the road to Qatar.

“After the group stage it is already a fixed draw and every time the matches go by I see how he improves match after match. we played by heartIf a team is as close as we are, it was difficult for them to beat us. But yes, with Holland (sic) we also suffered a lot. But then in the semifinals, winning 3-0 is not easy at all. We have made the World Cup grow ”, he summed up.

As for the match against Holland, which unleashed an unprecedented Messi with Topo Gigio, Van Gaal and the famous “What a stupid look, go over there”Palacios had a meeting in the first training session he had with Leverkusen after the World Cup: defender Jeremie Frimpong is his partner. “No, with Jeremy it didn’t come to the point, but of course we laughed a bit about what had happened and are already focused on the club. He is a good boy, always cheerful, who is good for us ”, he subtracted drama from the quarter-final episode.

The other match with extra time and penalties was the final against France. “From the first minute to the 80th minute, the team controlled the game. The team was very strong in all lines. I don’t know if we deserved to go that far and suffer on penalties…. But the sufferings gave another flavor to the coronation ”, she analyzed her with the fait accompli.

Long ago, Mbappé had belittled South American football and praised European football. And Exequiel agreed. “With the national team (some) they despised us, they told us that we only competed with South American teams… but we didn’t get into that match. We showed on the field that Argentina is up to it”he said without mentioning the World Cup goalscorer, who wasn’t lucky enough to be champion.

put the big one

When Messi played his first World Cup, the one in Germany in 2006, Palacios watched it on TV. I was seven years old. That age gap between the team captain and many of his teammates repeats itself. Only on the fifth attempt was Rosario able to lift the trophy. At the first opportunity, however, so did Exequiel and a little boy.

“The truth is that football gives you those joys and being able to be in a World Cup has no words to describe it. And sharing it with him, who has struggled and struggled for so long, deserves it. He was the best player in the world for a long time, I don’t want to forget (Ángel) Di María, (Nicolás) Otamendi, the people who fought for a long time. To be such a small person and to have been able to contribute a grain of sand makes me very proud. They are excellent people, they are simple… they are human beings,” he traced the graph on the wheel.

Before the start of the World Cup, Messi announced that – “definitely”, so without closing the curtain completely – he would be the last to play. Did the young guard, the one who has at least two more World Cups ahead, ask you not to leave them around and play the next one? “For my part, yes. That he stays with the national team for life. He generates a lot for football, he’s the best in the world. I have the privilege of sharing a training session with him, a match. He surprises you every minute and having him by our side is the thing most beautiful there is”replied to this newspaper.

Congratulations to the technical staff

“The idea has always been clear and we have become strong as a group. That’s where it all begins. When sharing concentrations, a partner… If the group is strong it reflects on the field. Every player who had to enter did it in the best possible way, the change of people was not noticed. Every time I’m in the national team I learn something”, he indicated about the work of the coaches.

“I am grateful to the coaching staff, because they have always trusted me. Sometimes it has come with an injury, a problem and you always try to be 100 percent. The competition gives you power, there are great players. We know the quality and quantity of players in midfield. The DT also lets you know that no one is a starter, that you have to come in or out, and you have to get it right. The fact that Enzo (Fernández) and Alexis (Mac Allister) did such a good World Cup makes me very happy”, he said generously of his comrades.

“The coaching staff is very simple and normal. It reflects how you see them. The DT lowers the line of feeling free, if he sees you well he has no problem entering. With the competition that exists, we all make it difficult for him: he has to choose the best. We are very happy with him (Lionel Scaloni), with Walter (Samuel), Pablo (Aimar), the Mouse (Roberto Ayala), with all (the helpers). They make you feel very comfortable.”