Gary Medel was presented as a reinforcement for Boca Juniors. The Chilean versatile footballer will face his second stage at the club, after a brief but successful stint between 2009 and 2010.
“Every time a player arrives at our club it makes me very happy. This is a special case, he is someone that I love very much and that I have known for many years beyond football. All Boca fans are very happy to have him back home. I hope he can enjoy it and have a good time. He’s a little bigger than when I met him, that’s the truth.. He knows how much I love him, respect and admire him. He has had a brilliant career. For all the Boca fans it is a very nice day, we are very happy Gary to have you home and I hope you have a great time every day”, was the welcome message from president Juan Román Riquelmewho in addition to praising him joked about the passing of the years.
“It is a pleasure to be in Argentina again and even more so in Boca. I want to thank Román for these years of friendship and closeness.. She has always behaved very well with me, my family and my loved ones. It is a moment that I feel very happy and convinced of what I want to do here in Boca. “I hope to do my best,” The 36-year-old Chilean soccer player returned the gesture.
About what are their new goals At the club, the former Vasco Da Gama expressed: “Always give my best and give myself 100% to the club as I did everywhere. I want to enjoy and give all my experience and hierarchy, but I have to demonstrate that on the field.. I hope to do it in the best way.” About how it took to reconnect with former teammates and Boca Juniors players, both in the Football Council and in the lower divisions, he highlighted: “Happy to be with people I love and played with them. That former players are working at the club makes me very happy.”
Gary Medel answered what seduced him to return: “The club is obviously huge. Who wouldn’t want to come and enjoy and live in this great club. That motivated me. Argentine football is very competitive and I want to continue competing at a high level.”
If there is something that characterized the Chilean, it is his versatility, since he can play both as a central midfielder and as a central or lateral marker on the right. “I am available for Boca. I come to compete and I adjust to all positions. In Vasco I played as a center back, but also as a midfielder and I am available for everything, really.” Meanwhile, he explained what he can contribute to the team both on and off the field: “I am a boy with a lot of communication, who always gives himself and gives his best. I try to give him peace of mind in times that are difficult, I have never lost my aggressiveness. It’s my usual way. To the group, obviously, I am someone who trains and always pushes forward. Give the best to my colleagues and those who work here.”
Almost 15 years have passed since his debut at Boca Juniors. And Gary thus explained what it was like to see Boca from abroad, where he wore the colors of Sevilla, Cardiff of Wales, Inter of Milan, Besiktas of Turkey and Bologna, among others. “I came very young and at that time I didn’t see the magnitude that Boca was on the outside. Over the years I realized how gigantic it is.. It was a pleasure to have played during that time. Now he meets a man who is older but with the same enthusiasm and desire to compete. What are they asking me? Of everything. The fans, La 12 or how La Bombonera feels, is what they ask me the most.”
“Román always spoke to me and kept me in communication. He behaved with a 10 with me. The talk was something very simple, that he loved me and I loved him too. We had the same desire and enthusiasm. I’m going to show it on and off the court. I’m doing great, both physically and mentally. With a lot of desire to play, to compete and to give the best to everyone. Happy,” Medel explained about the intimacy of his conversations with Riquelme and his current physical state.
When describing the xeneize team, he highlighted: “I see it very well. I met all my colleagues, who received me very well. They have players with a lot of hierarchy and personality, young players who are growing a lot. I hope to help you all. I come at the disposal of the coaching staff and If you need me I will always be there. “I come to earn a position, to give my best for the club.” It is worth remembering that Gary Medel has a good chance of being part of the squad for next game. Wednesday in Mendoza before Admiral Brownfor the 16th finals of the Argentine Cup.
Finally, he thanked the fans for “the treatment, affection and respect” they have always given him and clarified: “That’s why I want to show it on the field.” And he said goodbye with an unusual request about his last name. “Medel (with an accent on the last E). Please, otherwise my dad will break my balls,” he said and caused laughter throughout the room. Before saying goodbye to him, Gary took photos with his new jersey, whose number will be 19.
