Pelistri: “Alonso called me almost every day, they showed how much they wanted me at Panathinaikos”

His first interview as a Panathinaikos football player was given by Facundo Pelistrispeaking to the PAO TV camera!

The 22-year-old winger spoke about how much the Greens wanted him in the team, said Diego Alonso was in constant contact with him, spoke about his Premier League experience as a Manchester United player, and sent his message to the friends of Panathinaikos.

What he said in detail:



On his debut experience: “It was a very good experience. Certainly everything happened quickly. I arrived in France, trained and after one day made my debut. I feel good about my debut”.

On whether it is an extra incentive that a large sum was spent on his transfer: “Certainly when a club like Panathinaikos approaches a footballer and makes a persistent effort to acquire him by showing him how much it wants him, then for the footballer it is a very proud moment. It’s important for such a team to show you how much they want you, which for me was very important”.

On whether he feels pressure from fans’ high expectations: “Since last month, I have been receiving messages from the team’s fans almost every day. I don’t feel much pressure, but that pressure you mention I will try to use it to enjoy the game, play and do my best and of course help the team achieve everything they have set during the season.”.

On working with Diego Alonso: “Yes, of course Diego’s presence was very important, because I know him from the Uruguayan national team. We shared very nice moments. He called me almost every day when I was in Manchester, to explain to me about the club, the plan, what he wanted to do. Of course knowing him I really liked the idea. All this together led me to come here”.

What Alonso told him: “He told me how big a club Panathinaikos is. He explained to me how much the team will try to achieve this year and that in a footballer’s mind is very important. Of course they are one of the top teams in Greece. For me it’s a new adventure, a new chapter and I’m looking forward to doing well and making the fans happy, which is the main reason we play football.”.

On what has won him over Alonso: “You may have noticed already that he has a very strong character and personality. He is passionate, he lives every match with great passion and this is one of his best features. For me as a footballer, when I’m in the dressing room, in the match or in training, he knows how to motivate me. He likes to attack, he is a coach for the footballer. It is positive that we have him because he gives us motivation before every match”.

On what he expects from his presence at Panathinaikos: “Of course I expect to succeed! When the season is over I want to look back and see that we have achieved our goals, that it will be a successful year for Panathinaikos”.

On his experience as a Premier League footballer: “It was amazing. I spent 4 years at Manchester United. As you said, they are one of the biggest clubs in the world. He improved a lot as a footballer and as a person. I have very good friends there. I have very good memories. Now I will try to take advantage of all this experience I gained”.

For Bruno Fernandes’ words to him: “We are very good friends with Bruno. From my first day there, we were very close. Every year we spent a lot of time together, I have many memories. Everyone knows what a great footballer he is, but also as a person he is incredible. I am happy to have such a relationship with him. I also have Garnazzo as my little brother and we were together every day. When he heard the news that I was coming here, he was sad that I was leaving. I have a very good relationship with him as I do with many United players. The team was very good and I have excellent relations”

On what happened at United and was not established: “As I said, Manchester are one of the top teams in the world. If you look at the roster you will see the best footballers. The competition is great and sometimes you will get a chance to compete, sometimes not. As a team it is so big, with so many footballers in all positions, that sometimes it is not so easy to find playing time. He played for United and I enjoyed it but at some point you want to compete more. At United you’re not guaranteed playing time so at some point you want to look at other prospects and that’s why everything happened and I’m really happy to be here. To compete, enjoy the game and help achieve the team’s goals”.

The reason he wears “28”: “When you join a club at the end of the transfer window, there are not many numbers available. but I had good memories with the 28 because that’s what I played with at United, so when I saw that it’s free here I said: ‘this is what I’ll get to keep the same idea’.

The idea for 2+8=10: “At Peñarol he wore 10. At United I thought 2+8+10 and then I was told Cristiano Ronaldo wore 28 at Sporting so I wanted to get it. I have good memories of it and when I was told here that it is free, I said that is a good sign and stuck with 28”.

Himself in a few words: “It would be better if others answered for me! I would say that I am a footballer who is quick with the ball, I like working with my teammates, helping with goals and assists. In the last four years I have been doing a lot more on the suspension side as well. In our time, participation in defense is also needed. In general these.

His message to the world of Panathinaikos: “I can’t wait to meet them. I saw some in Lance, but since it’s the first time I’m coming to Greece, I want to meet them and of course at the end of the season to celebrate together”.