By Santiago Carbone |
Montevideo (EFE).- Being champion of the U20 World Cup and triumphing in the Valencia first team are two of the dreams of the Uruguayan defender Facundo González.
Despite living in Spain since he was four years old, the Celeste jersey of his country’s team is a feeling for those who believe that the education received from their parents was essential to remain close to the country they left as a child.
González works under the orders of the coach Marcelo Broli facing the World Cup that will be played in Argentina from May 20.
Roast and mate are two of the Uruguayan customs that he acquired and enjoy these days with the other members of the team.
The illusion of Facundo González in Argentina 2023
González said he had “tremendous enthusiasm” for the World Cup.
However, he told Efe that Uruguay will fight match by match, a criterion that he reinforces through the song “Descolgando el Cielo” by the musician Eduardo “Pitufo” Lombaro: “Never favourites, always from behind.”
“I think that what characterizes us is the grit and unity of the entire group. We are going to give it our all and we are going to fight for the greatest”, said the player born in 2003.
Uruguay will debut in the World Cup on May 22 against the Iraqi team in La Plata.
There they will also face England three days later, and on May 28 they will face Tunisia in the city of Mendoza.
For Facundo González, playing the World Cup in Argentina will be “very exciting” because of the support that Uruguay will have. This, in his opinion, will be an additional incentive for Celeste.
“I think the fans are going to do a lot for us,” said the player who plays for Mestalla, Valencia’s subsidiary team.
Playing at the beginning of the year in Colombia in the South American Under-20 Championship, which classified Uruguay as runner-up to the World Cup, was González’s first experience with the national team.
Cavani, Gabriel and Valencia
Facundo González also dreams of making it to the Valencia first team.
He said he had a good relationship with the players on the squad led by Rubén Baraja and pointed out his compatriot Maxi Gómez, who played between 2019 and 2022, as one of those responsible for this reception.
He added that he was lucky enough to train with Edinson Cavani, one of the top references of the Uruguayan team and who played four World Cups.
“He has congratulated me on the South American and told me that I have to give everything to be in the national team, which is the most beautiful thing,” he commented.
He also praised Brazilian defender Gabriel Paulista, from whom he has received multiple tips.