
Footballers who have had the chance to wear the
Argentine
shirt in any category and train at Ezeiza’s
Sporting Complex
always emphasise that this experience has marked
them both
personally and professionally. Banega is not an
exception.
In truth, when I was told to train in Ezeiza, it
was like a dream
coming true and a great joy not only for me but
also for my family.
Do you remember when you were first appointed?
I was in the Yellow House, after a game of the
Reserve against
Vélez. I was happy and on Tuesday I started to
train.
How did you tell your family?
I remember that they were very happy. It was
very nice. It was
my long-awaited dream. Firstly, to be in a club
and then in
the National Team. But it all happened
gradually. Luckily, the
dream came true and I was able to take
advantage of it.
What was it like when you knew that you were in the
squad for the World Championship?
I was calm because I had to do my best at the
finals of
the Libertadores with Boca first. Then, it was
the time for
the National Team which was something equally
important.
Luckily, I was successful and I played and was
a champion.
It was really wonderful.
Are you conscious of the success with the National
Team
or not yet?
It takes time to be aware but it was a
remarkable victory. We
made up a very close group, did our best and
fulfilled our
objective.
What is the contribution of the National Team to
your
career and mainly the people who work with the
Youth
National Teams led by Hugo Tocalli?
Tocalli gave me a chance to take part in the
South American
and it was important because then on my return,
Russo
called me for Boca. It was a key moment.
What was the secret of the Youth National Team?
Because
you did not spend much time together...
We worked together for a week and flew to Canada.
Teamwork was the best since it was made up
gradually and
it improved all along the games because we had
not had a
good start.
And it is not easy to make up good teams when there
are
so many figures like those of the squad...
It maybe. It is true that most of them were in
the First but it
was a normal experience for us and had to take
advantage
of it. We had experience and skill and we used
them.
How did you handle your popularity in all the mass
media
worldwide?
I wished to be better every day and worked to
fulfil our objective.
My attention was not on my rivals or the press
from abroad. I
was calm ready to play in the National Team and
welcomed
every recognition but I concentrated in the
National Team.
The chance to share a tournament with youth from
some
other countries with different cultures has been an
enriching experience...
I think that my life is giving a great jump, in
my career
because I have lived it in half a year and it
doesn’t happen so
often. Sometimes I can’t believe it, I ‘m not
conscious.
Do you dream with the Senior National Team
or is it too soon?
I think that it is too soon; I’m young and I’ve
to
get more experience.
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