According to AS, Trezeguet visited AS to discuss CA River Plate's internationalization, his experiences with the French national team, his time at Juventus, and the World Cup prospects.
As the World Cup approaches and the club season has just concluded, David Trezeguet visited AS to review various topics. He was accompanied by Matías Patanian. Both jointly lead CA River Plate (Arg)'s new international project. CA River Plate (Arg) is an important club in Argentine and South American football, and now also aims to establish itself in Europe.
Q: How is CA River Plate's international project progressing?
Trezeguet: Very well. We've just spent two weeks in Europe. We went to Paris, and now we're in Madrid, to present the plan and the club's growth in structure and sporting aspects over the past 12 years. CA River Plate (Arg) has 350,000 members, 90% of whom are in Argentina, but we have branches in Malaga, Seville, Barcelona, and other places.
Patanian added: "We have sold out Estadio Monumental for 100 consecutive matches. After the stadium is roofed, its capacity will reach 101,000. AC/DC and Coldplay have performed in our stadium, which now has more VIP boxes, and we have also signed a 10-year agreement with Live Nation."
Q: You love CA River Plate (Arg) so much that you even played in the second division with your beloved team?
Trezeguet: CA River Plate (Arg) evokes an emotion. I am a fan of the club. At that time, CA River Plate (Arg) was going through a difficult period in its history. Almeyda called me, and I joined the idea. CA River Plate (Arg) is an extreme madness. South America is different from Europe. What CA River Plate (Arg) gave me in just six months was the best. This was conveyed to me by the fans. So when they gave me the opportunity to be an ambassador, it was very important to me.
Q: What is life like for retired players who enter management?
Trezeguet: I have always liked sports management. I started getting involved in Argentina and later attended a sports director course at the Spanish Football Federation. Footballers constantly improve themselves. A balance must be found between former players and managers. I believe in this connection. Scoring goals is easier than sitting in an office. CA River Plate (Arg)'s growth at an international level is commendable. It is the first club in South America to be developing its brand. Our membership has grown from 60,000 to 350,000. But for example, Flamengo's TV rights revenue can reach 80 million euros, while CA River Plate (Arg) only has 6 million euros. So we hope to promote the growth of Argentine football.
Q: You were born in France, but you are Argentine.
Trezeguet: My father was a professional player and went to France in 1975, until 1979. In 1977, a surprise appeared, which was my birth. Haha. I was born in France. We stayed there for two years, then returned to Argentina.
Q: Years later you returned to France and made history there.
Trezeguet: They knew my father had a son, so I attracted their attention. I went for a trial at Paris Saint-Germain. At that time, I just wanted my family to be with me. Paris wanted me to stay, but to live in the club dormitory, not with my family. Monaco accepted my request to be with my family. I am very grateful to them. Adaptation, physical condition, and language were all important. I had a teacher who taught me French. I was able to adapt, first with my father, and later with my whole family around. We have always been a middle-class family, lacking nothing. Everything else happened very naturally.
Q: Was it really possible for you to play for Real Madrid?
Trezeguet: They contacted me and wanted me to go to Castilla. Henry was my teammate at Monaco, and Real Madrid's first team really wanted him, and he also wanted me to go with him. But then there were problems with him and his agent.
Q: And then suddenly, the French national team called you!
Trezeguet: It was a procedural issue. When I went to France at 16, dual nationality was not an option. The only condition was to keep my French passport. I never thought that I would come there as an unknown in 1995 and become a world champion in 1998. Higuain also experienced a similar situation, but he chose to give up French nationality. Things went smoothly. I always had emotional considerations. Batistuta played for Roma, Crespo for Lazio, and I was the top scorer for Juventus that year. I will always have this question: what could I have contributed to the Argentine national team if I had been around them? Instead, France and I became the first European team to win two major tournaments in a row. I adapted to France, and France adapted to me. I won the league title with Monaco, which gave me the opportunity to be selected for the national team. Becoming a world champion and winning the European Championship made me feel the greatest things.
Q: Why did you leave Monaco for Juventus?
Trezeguet: I felt I needed a change. So I decided to go to Juventus. I worked with Ancelotti. At that time, there were Vieri and Inzaghi up front. My path kept moving forward. Eventually, I became the longest-serving foreign player at Juventus, and also surpassed Sívori to become the highest-scoring Argentine player. I experienced everything. I experienced Calciopoli. I was recognized by the fans. I played with three Ballon d'Or winners: Zidane, Nedved, Cannavaro. Most importantly, I cherish my partnership with Del Piero the most; we surpassed the best goal-scoring partnerships in Juventus history.
Q: In Italy you also experienced the toughest part.
Trezeguet: In 2006, we lost to Italy in the final, and I missed a penalty. Coupled with Calciopoli, the team was penalized 15 points, which allowed the club to give us the possibility to choose our future. Capello, Emerson, and Cannavaro went to Real Madrid. Thuram and Zambrotta went to Barca. Vieira and Ibra went to Inter. We decided to stay. We were a group of friends. It was not easy. It was a wasted year. But we knew how to turn things around. What I cherish most is the recognition of the Juventus fans.
Q: As a player who immigrated when you were young, do you understand Mastantuono leaving CA River Plate?
Trezeguet: How do you say no to Real Madrid? Or no to Barca? He will probably be loaned out. Nico Paz should be a good example. CA River Plate (Arg) players are born, grow up, and then leave. This is his dream. Mastantuono signed with Real Madrid at 17, because Paris Saint-Germain also joined the competition. From the moment they start to show themselves, we can't keep them. The same goes for Echeverri. For us, it is important to maintain dialogue with European teams. South American talent is raw and pure, and European clubs are very eager to get such players.
Q: What do you think about the World Cup?
Trezeguet: It will be an emotional test. Among the favorites, France is the top candidate. French players play for the most important teams in Europe, and they are used to winning. The French team still continues with the same generation of players, but also includes newcomers like Olise, Cherki, Barcola, Doué. Argentina is the defending champion and has Messi, who needs to manage himself well. This will be the last World Cup for Neymar, Ronaldo, and Messi. I am very optimistic about Spain; they play very freely. Then there are Brazil and Germany, who cannot escape their history.
Trezeguet: It's interesting that the Spanish team doesn't have any Real Madrid players. This team is a pure combination of talent. Lamine Yamal is one of the most anticipated players, and Luis de la Fuente also knows his players. Spain will not shy away from goals, which is healthy.
Q: Is there a lack of number 9s like you back then?
Trezeguet: Guardiola was the first to downplay the center forward, and now he has rediscovered the center forward through Haaland. This position is very crucial. Hopefully, this role will return. I love center forwards, I love the one who finishes teammates' attacks. This is what I personally felt as a player.
