Vecino: "I've come to Inter at the right time"

MILAN – Questions rained down upon new signing Matias Vecino as he responded to fans live on the club’s Facebook page and on Inter Channel. 

The first question was about fellow Uruguayan Alvaro Recoba who was also a teammate of Vecino’s at Nacional. “El Chino was one of the greatest Uruguayan footballers, as a child I used to follow Inter thanks to him. He had a really incredible foot. He called me as soon as he learnt of my move here, he was a great player and he’s a really great person. It would be nice to make my debut scoring two goals like he did but I play a different role…” 

Vecino has arrived at Inter a few days ahead of his 26th birthday. “It’s the right time to arrive at a big team. I have my best years ahead of me as a player. I’ve developed a lot since I’ve been in Italy and now I’ll have to do even better. I was really happy when I heard of interest from Inter and I hoped that negotiations would finish as quickly as possible. There’s little need to think when such a prestigious club contacts you.” 

Vecino was also asked about the role he will be used in by Spalletti. “As a young boy, I played as an attacking midfielder but I then moved back, playing as a defensive midfielder or central midfield. I like to get forward in order to exploit space but I’m completely available what the manager wants. Spalletti struck me with the way he teaches football, for his calmness and his ability in communicating his ideas. He wants to start the play from deep which is an idea that I like and am used to.” 

The Uruguayan midfielder isn’t worried about the pressure of wearing a Nerazzurri shirt or playing in a stadium such as the San Siro. “It’s normal to feel pressure, we represent a lot of fans but I like to take on responsibility. I put pressure on myself to do better each day and to always improve. To play in a stadium like the San Siro is the dream of any player.” 

His impressions of a new dressing room are all very positive: “Everybody has welcomed me very well, especially the South American group and Icardi. There’s a positive atmosphere, we’re training well ahead of the season’s opener. I’ve met up with Borja Valero again here who helped me a lot when I arrived in Florence and I’ve learnt a lot from him on the pitch. He’s a player with great intelligence who always knows what to do. Joao Mario was the player who impressed me the most, he’s very strong and practically knows how to do everything.” 

Does he have a favourite player or shirt number? “I choice the number six, because out of all of those available, it’s the number I like the most. I’ve often worn eight in my career but the six is also very good for me. One of my reference points as a player is undoubtedly Juan Sebastian Veron. I’ve always looked to learn something from all of the great players, but he’s certainly the one I’ve followed the most.” 

Finally, he shed some light on his personal life. “I have a two-year-old son, I spend my free time with him. I like to watch films and tennis, basically I’m a very laid-back person. Music? I listen to a bit of everything from Uruguayan rock to reggaeton. I’m on Facebook and Twitter. I still don’t have a nickname, you can all choose one…”