Manchester City midfielder Enzo Fernandez says Argentina’s players are driven by a determination to win everything and avoid defeat in any situation.
The 25-year-old joined City from Benfica in the final moments of the summer transfer window and discussed his ambitions in an interview released by the club’s official magazine on 1 October.
Fernandez arrives with two World Cup final appearances, nearly 300 club games and almost 50 Argentina caps behind him. He said his priority was to help Manchester City challenge for every available trophy.
“Argentines are very dedicated and very passionate about football, and very frustrated when we lose,” he said. “It’s our characteristic. We don’t want to lose anything; we want to win everything. As Argentines, it’s a point of pride to feel that passion.”
Fernandez is the latest in a long line of Argentine players to represent Manchester City, following Pablo Zabaleta, Carlos Tevez, Nicolas Otamendi, Julian Alvarez and Sergio Aguero.
He grew up in San Martin, near Buenos Aires, playing football in the streets and open spaces with his four brothers. The city has produced many prominent Argentine players, something Fernandez attributes to its deep connection with the game.
“It’s a very passionate city, with many teams that love football,” he said. “A large number of Argentine players come from there, and it’s a place where people experience football with great passion. We players try to convey that passion, whether at the club or with the national team.”
The former River Plate, Benfica and Chelsea player said Lionel Messi was his childhood inspiration.
“Messi,” he said when asked which player he wanted to emulate. “I used to watch him play and dreamed of playing alongside him one day, to be like himand in fact, many of my dreams eventually came true with him in the national team. Obviously, he has always been my inspiration.”
Fernandez began as a central midfielder before also playing in more advanced roles and in a double pivot. Although midfield remains his main position, he said he now enjoys arriving in the penalty area and scoring.
His goalscoring numbers increased during his final three seasons at Chelsea, when he scored 7, 9 and 15 goals respectively.
Fernandez also praised Enzo Maresca, with whom he worked at Chelsea, for helping make the transfer happen.
“He’s a top coach, honestly,” Fernandez said. “I learned a lot from him. He’s very passionate, very Latin in his approach.”
He added that Julian Alvarez had told him about life at Manchester City, which helped him understand the club before his arrival.
Fernandez made his debut in a 1-0 win over Coventry and then supplied an important assist in a 2-0 Champions League victory away to Porto.
“I feel at home,” he said. “I will give 100% every dayin every training session and every gameto help this club achieve all its objectives throughout the season, win many trophies, and enjoy it.”
