Matías Soulé, with Clarín: Di María’s chicanes on the legacy of 11 and what convinced him to play for Argentina

From Mar del Plata to Liniers. From Liniers in Turin. And from Turin to Santiago del Estero. The path of Matías Souléone of the Europibes who are starting to demonstrate in Javier Mascherano’s Sub 20, he had several airports and t-shirts, but it was always ascendant. This natural attachment which ran towards the left side does not stop growing, but which does not lose the essence of the number ’10’ although in the youth teams the ’11’ which in the Major belongs to a certain Ángel Di María, his teammate at Juventus who advises him and set the course.

Many are even quick to point him out as Fideo’s heir to the national team. The truth is that Matías is in no hurry and makes his way as he walks. And for now he walks steadily. He went from minor to major in the two sub 20 victories in Santiago del Estero. In the 3-0 against Guatemala he was the best because, in addition to not having scored, it was discovered with a great performance that he understood a great collaboration with Valentin Barco from the left wing, dribbling and filtered passes.

At the age of three he kicked a ball for the first time. Independiente fan Papa Norberto took him to the Banco Nación club in La Feliz. He went through Southern Argentinos and Kimberley. Until He made the leap to Vélez’s Inferiori. Due to parental authority, he emigrated to Italy at the age of 15 and joined the training departments of Juve and there he began to attract attention for his qualities.

The scouting work of the AFA in Europe has reached Soulé before they seduced him from the Azure. Lionel Scaloni has already called him alongside Lionel Messi and the figures of the national team. Soulé was fascinated and doesn’t think of wearing another country’s shirt.

And that is reflected in his eyes when he speaks clarion after qualifying for the round of 16 and before closing group A this Friday against New Zealand in San Juan. They shine every time he talks about the experience this left-footed player is having, who has already amassed 19 games and one goal in the First Division with Juventus.

-With the standings in your pocket, do you look at the World Cup in another way?

-Yes. We are happy to have qualified, but of course we must not relax. We want to go out and play the last game the same way we played the first two. We’re happy because we know we’re in the next phase, but first place is important and we’ll be looking for it.

-Without the nerves of the premiere, did you play more confidently in the second game?

-Yes. It was a very different game. We had more ball. It must be taken into account that the rival was also another. Each team has its own. The first games are always difficult. The people… There were a lot of people and a lot of nerves. Since we have a rhythm, we will find more.

-Can the best version of the team come out from now on?

We don’t have to trust each other. We are happy, but we have to go out and play the last group game in the same way. We have to find it, win and secure first place.

-Agreement is made on the left with Colo Barco, who never tires of passing and passing.

-Usually I enter for my characteristics. I play more in the center. Javi (Mascherano) also asks me because the Colo opens and reaches the bottom. I get along very well with him, with Valen (Carboni), with Ale (Véliz), with Brian (Aguirre). We are a great group. A good group has formed, we are all colleagues. I would say we are friends.

-Individually, how do you feel about this shirt playing in the countryside?

-In the second game I felt better. When I was there in Italy I didn’t have much pace, but as I add more minutes I feel better physically and football-wise.

-You are experiencing the passion of the Argentinian fan for the first time in your flesh. Have you imagined this frame?

-It’s something beautiful. I honestly didn’t imagine it was like this. It’s all very beautiful. My family accompanies me and it’s crazy for them too. All that remains is to thank all the people for their support.

-You have the number 11 shirt of Angel Di María, your teammate at Juventus. Did he tell you something?

-Yes! Shit we talked about it with Fideo. He tells me that 11 weighs, ah. I try my best and he always talks to me.

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