Enzo Fernandez interview – the Argentina years
21 FEB 2023
Enzo Fernandez is Chelsea’s newest recruit and it is high time we found out more about the path that has taken the midfielder from junior football in his native Argentina to the Premier League, via the biggest stage of all late last year.
Despite only turning 22 last month, Enzo has already played in three countries across two continents, won domestic honours and of course been part of a World Cup triumph. He has given an interview covering his football story so far and we look at the early chapters today with plenty more to follow tomorrow…
Having been born in Villa Bonich, San Martin – part of the Buenos Aires metropolis, Enzo cut his very early football teeth at close-by junior team Club La Recova where he played with his brothers.
‘I spent my whole youth playing football with my childhood friends there,’ he recalled. ‘That’s pretty much how my life was when I took my first steps in the world of football. I gave my first kicks when I was three. When I was six, I started to play for River. I was six when I took part in my first training session!’
Having become involved at that early age with the world-famous River Plate club, Enzo continued to to play there until he turned 18.
‘After that, I was transferred on loan to Defensa y Justicia FC, and then I returned to River, and won the championship there,’ he said, describing River as like his family.
‘I spent most of my life in River, and I feel thankful for the love and trust they put in me. Putting that aside, I’ve been a huge fan of the club ever since I was a little boy. Everything went smoothly, so I feel very happy for having helped them. They’ve helped me evolve as a player too.
‘We had to play Copa Libertadores too, but the league title was a wonderful experience for me. I always dreamt of achieving such a thing. I’d always attended the stadium, watched the games from the stands. Having fulfilled the dream of becoming a champion with them, that is priceless.
‘My family are River Plate fans although two of my brothers are Boca Juniors fans, but anyway, they’ve always supported me and have been there by my side. They highly enjoyed my success themselves.
‘My dad is a huge River fan. That’s why he called me Enzo, after Enzo Francescoli [a hugely successful attacking midfielder player with the club]. So my family was so proud I had finally fulfilled one of my biggest dreams.
‘River have taught me values. I was given everything a player might need, even psychological assistance. They’ve always been there, I was never left behind.’
Enzo also values the season he spent on loan at Defensa y Justicia prior to his real breakthrough at River Plate. At the smaller club in Buenos Aires, he came under the coaching wing of former Chelsea striker Hernan Crespo who won the Premier League during his time at Stamford Bridge.
‘It was right after the pandemic came to an end,’ Enzo remembered. ‘That was a unique experience. He [Crespo] is a very special person. He’s always tried to support me, and I learnt a lot from him and his technical staff. He was my coach for four to five months until Sebastian Beccacece arrived, with whom we became champions of La Recopa [a Super Cup-style tournament].
‘He was a very important person, a great coach, although a bit crazy, as I used to tell him. But I learnt a lot from both of them, and I feel grateful for everything they’ve given me when I was in Defensa y Justicia.’
In part two tomorrow, Enzo Fernandez talks about moving to Benfica and then to Chelsea, his Qatar 2022 triumph and playing with Lionel Messi.
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Enzo Fernandez interview – Europe, World Cup and playing with Lionel Messi
22 FEB 2023
Chelsea January signing Enzo Fernandez has given an interview covering his football story so far. Having heard yesterday about his first football steps and clubs in Argentina, today we move on to his switch to Portugal and experiencing huge success in Qatar.
The first part of the interview concluded with Enzo coached by former Blues star Hernan Crespo and winning a league title with River Plate in Buenos Aires. That preceded his move last summer to Lisbon and Benfica…
‘That’s changed my life,’ Enzo said. ‘I’ll always feel grateful to Benfica. They’ve opened the doors of Europe to me. I feel very thankful for what the club’s done for me, with the directors, with my team-mates. They’ve put in a lot of trust in me. Not to mention the technical staff, who have given me loads of support and love ever since I landed there.
‘The city’s great! I’ve been very happy there. Now I’m here, playing for Chelsea, and I feel equally grateful for the confidence they put in me. They’re great, and I’m happy.
‘Moving from Argentina to Europe was a huge change for me and for my family,’ the 22-year-old added. ‘But I’ve always felt accompanied by my beloved ones, by the club. They’ve both given me love and support at all times. Whenever I was in need of something, they’d be ready to help. It was a beautiful experience. I learnt a lot there.
‘It was an abrupt change for me and for my family,’ he continued, ‘but I always tried to give my best to keep learning and evolving as a player.’
It was not long after his move to Portugal that Enzo also made the progression at international level into the senior Argentina side. It is safe to say it has gone rather well!
‘That was back in September last year. I had to play two friendlies. I also trained the year before with the squad, in 2021. I spent a week training with the squad. After that, I did not play for the squad for a year.
‘However, I always tried to train myself and play with my style. It’s always been my lifelong dream to defend my country’s colours. That’s priceless. I feel thankful for everything we’ve won together: the World Cup trophy. That was a historic achievement since we had not clinched such a title for such a long time.
‘I had the privilege of being part of that squad, and I’m so grateful for the technical staff, as they’ve trusted me and led me to win that amazing trophy.
‘Everything happened at a dizzying pace,’ he admitted. ‘Playing on loan for Defensa, becoming a champion with River, moving to Benfica. Now I’m here, I won the World Cup this year. Everything happened really quickly. I try to enjoy these moments as much as I can, but always be responsible.’
By the end of the World Cup in Qatar, not only had Enzo secured a winners’ medal, he was also in possession of one of the major individual awards – for being the best young player of the tournament. Another award, for the best player overall, was to no one’s surprise handed to his Argentina team-mate Lionel Messi. It turns out Enzo several years earlier added his voice to the many who called for their hero to change his mind when he toyed with retiring from the international scene.
In November they were side-by-side when Enzo rose from the bench to score in Argentina’s second group game at the World Cup, helping them recover from the opening match shock defeat against Saudi Arabia.
‘It’s true the first game was not what we expected, and we did not get the result we wanted,’ Enzo said. ‘But in any case, we demonstrated that we were calm, focused and united. Luckily, we became world champions, and that really is priceless.
‘I’ve always said Leo Messi was a player I look up to. I’ve always tried to learn from him. He’s a great person and has given me love and support within the team. I also had to face him when I played for Benfica in the Champions League, as he played for PSG. Right after that, we became team-mates in the Argentina squad.
‘He’s a great person. Very humble, hard-working. He deserves everything he’s achieved in football.’
Enzo talks about the time when it was not going so well for the international team, over five years before he was personally involved.
‘I remember we went through tough times with the squad, and the press criticised Leo [Messi] so harshly. I tried to explain how I feel about him. I asked him to stay, as he said he wouldn’t play for the team anymore. I defended him to stay with us, playing for the squad. I was pretty young back then!
‘He means a lot to everyone in the world. He’s a legend for Argentina. He’s a loved person, an idol for all Argentinians, for our children. As a person, I have no complaints about him. He’s always given me so much love. He’s always respected me and was a great team-mate in all senses. I’m very thankful for having played with him.
‘Everything happened so fast that I’m still shocked!’ Enzo said more generally. ‘I try to enjoy these moments and football, as that’s what I’m passionate about. I’ve always dreamt of this.
‘I’ve never felt any kind of pressure on my shoulders. Never in my life. I’ve always tried to enjoy. I do what I love! I always try to give it my all, with no pressure. Enjoying these moments is the most important thing.
‘I’ve always longed to play in the Premier League. Chelsea FC has given me the opportunity to play here, and I feel grateful for their trust. I love everything about the club, I’m so happy with my team-mates and technical staff. Honestly, ever since I landed here I felt at home. I’ll always try to give it my all along with my team-mates to achieve the greatest things for Chelsea.
‘The World Cup is like reaching the sky! For me, that’s the everlasting glory. But one needs to keep the focus and self-belief.
‘I’ll always try to have confidence in us, to win everything possible and keep evolving as a player. Clinching titles is the main objective, as well as enjoying football.’
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