Luis Palma admitted that the bond he now has with Aris is strong in an interview he granted to a website of his homeland. The ace from Honduras, referring to his career so far, emphasized that this season is the best in his career…
How did you manage to adapt so quickly to European football?
“It took me a little, more than a month, but I found good people here, colleagues who speak Spanish and they helped me fit in better with the team. After a while I was getting minutes and I was confident because of the opportunity they were giving me, all this helped me to adapt better.”
Is this the best season of your career?
“Yes, last year I reached the middle of the season, scored two goals and a few assists, this time I was preparing and with that I was ready for all the competitions that came our way. For now it’s one of the seasons I won’t forget.”
What do you think are the strengths for your success?
“I think it was the persistence and discipline that I had enough, the truth is that it took me to a very high level. I’m also a person with a lot of self-criticism, then I watch the games again and highlight what I think is not good.”
An injury cut short the… great moment you were living with ARIS, how do you feel right now?
“Right, I’ve discussed it with a lot of people that I did really well with the team, but the injury stopped me. Now I am recovering and let’s hope to God that on Sunday I will be able to play again.”
You fell like a… glove on your team, apparently everything is fine?
“I get along very well with all my colleagues. I am a happy person, I like to convey good things to people. There is a strong bond with the club.”
Are you the one who sets the pace in the changing rooms and on the trips?
“I’m the DJ, the one who plays music everywhere.”
Greek football has become a new horizon for Honduras. What do you think about it?
“The Greek league is very competitive, I don’t like to talk, a lot of people say it’s not a big deal or similar comments, but elite players coming to play here is why it attracts attention.”
In your case, in Greece there are players of the quality of Marcelo or James Rodríguez, how was that experience?
“These are players I grew up watching on TV win the Champions League and look now they’ve marked me or I’ve marked them. Dreams do come true, I never imagined that one day I would be able to play against them.”
Have you had personal experience with any of them?
“We played three games in a row with Olympiakos and in the penultimate one I changed jerseys with James Rodríguez. I asked him, let’s change shirts, and he said yes, look I’m not 17 years old, but I felt very happy. I hope to do the same with Marcelo.”
What do you envision for your future?
“At the moment I’m focused on continuing to work with the team, scoring a lot of goals and growing as a person. I want to keep improving so that what I have in mind comes out and I hope in some transfer period to move to another league”.
Which league do you like?
“I really like the Premier League, it has a very high pace of play, but everything is step by step and I don’t want to rush. Spanish football is also very nice.”
In the case of Edwin Rodriguez. How do you see his return to the country?
“Unfortunately things didn’t work out for Edwin, but he made the decision to come back, hopefully he can get his revenge and break them up.”
I know decisions are personal, but many feel it was rushed. Do you see it that way?
“When he told me that everything is closed, I told him that I support him in everything. God willing, in a year we will have him here again.”
Did you give him advice?
“Yes, we talked a lot and he had a really bad time because he didn’t play and that can make any player despair.”
What did he tell you before he returned to the country?
“He wanted to play again and in Olympia he will definitely have that chance to show things.”
Which Honduran players would you recommend right now to travel to Europe?
“You make it difficult for me because there are many quality footballers and some should have their chance abroad, because of age I would suggest Roger Sanders or Horacio Argueta.”
A 2023 full of games is coming for the National Honduran selection. Is it motivating for you?
“Representing Honduras has always been my dream and it will be whenever I get a call. I hope the legionnaires can do very well when it’s our turn to be called upon.”
Have you already spoken to Diego Vazquez about a return to the national team?
“No, I have only spoken to manager Louis Brevet about the Canadian visa. I hope I can be there.”
The fans have a lot of faith in what you can do with Honduras.” How do you see this challenge?
“It’s a really nice responsibility, in the past I don’t know how I would rate myself. I feel like I’ve done some good things and some not so much, but you never want to make a mistake, let alone be in the national team. I’m going to work and I’ll try my best.”
Is a rematch coming this year?
“I see everything as revenge because I had a chance and things didn’t work out for me.”
I am currently a news writer for News Bulletin247 where I mostly cover sports news. I have always been interested in writing and it is something I am very passionate about. In my spare time, I enjoy reading and spending time with my family and friends.
