The national defender assures that the quality of the competition was fundamental in determining which country he would go to. “The best players in all history have come from here,” he says.
Gary Medel is back in South America, but his destination is not Chile, but Brazil. The defender is the reinforcement of Vasco da Gama, who finds himself in a difficult situation in the first division of his country: they are penultimate, with nine points in 14 games. The Pitbull wants to help the club out of this position and is looking to compete higher.
“Compared to the Chilean championship, the Brazilian championship is at a very high level. What I want is to be in this tournament which is super competitive. This leads me to play with great footballers, with great teams and to be part of the national team that’s what I want, to continue competing at a high level,” said the defender.
“We know the quality and quantity of players that Brazilian football brings out, the best players have come from here in Europe and from all over history. It’s a new experience, I wanted to be in this competition where a lot is at stake. It’s very hot, but I’m happy with it,” he added.
Once his departure from Bologna was confirmed, some thought the two-time American champion could return to UC. Especially, when remembering the past statements of the central defender. “If I go back, it will be at the Catholic University. I don’t want to go anywhere else. I want to give him important things, to play Libertadores” he said some time ago.
However, he opted for the Brasileirao. “It’s a new experience, Vasco is a very big club. I am very happy with this new experience. I’ve been with fans who are heavy, who are intense, who like to win and the player gives one hundred percent and I think I will represent what they want very well. Obviously I will give my soul for this team; We hope that the results will come in our favor and that we can take the team where it deserves (…) This is done by working, by mentalizing. There is no excuse for anything and together with the fans we will turn the situation around,” he explained on his arrival in Rio de Janeiro.
The 35-year-old footballer is available for Ramón Díaz and maintains he will play in the position they put him in. “I’m here for what he needs, whether as a centre-back or as a midfielder. The truth is that I don’t see myself in difficulty playing in any position, I give myself to everything the team needs at the moment, ”he underlines.
Medel also made reference to fellow Chileans competing in Brazil, Erick Pulgar and Arturo Vidal. The Colo Colo-trained midfielder changed squads midweek, moving from Flamengo to Athletico Paranaense. “I’m a good friend of both, I also spoke with Claudio Maldonado, who was part of the coaching staff here. They all told me what football was like here, that you had to be 100% prepared, that it was played every three days and that if you weren’t up they would eat you alive. he.
As revealed by the one trained in San Carlos de Apoquindo, he left to live alone in Cidade Maravilhosa, without his children, who had accompanied him during his last stays in Europe. “I came alone, without my family, to devote myself entirely to the club and try to improve their situation. That’s why they brought me,” he said.
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Source: Latercera

I’m Scott Moore, a professional writer and journalist based in the US. I’ve been writing for various publications for over 8 years now, and have been working as an author at athletistic for the past five years. My work has been featured by some of the leading sports websites and magazines across Europe.