Palmeiras coach Abel Ferreira spoke about José Manuel López and knowing that Lopez was going to the World Cup with the Argentina national team.
José Manuel López has been included in the Argentina national team for the World Cup and also had three assists for Palmeiras in their 4-1 win against Junior Barranquilla in the Copa Libertadores. Speaking to the media after the match, here is what coach Abel Ferreira was said. The quotes via TwitPalmeiras:
“There’s no secret at all. I’d known for some time that Flaco López would be called up. Our coaching staff keeps in touch with various national teams and that information was already known internally.
“I didn’t tell him because dealing with that kind of expectation and emotion isn’t always easy. I always told Flaco that his national team was Palmeiras and that to get to the Argentina national team, he first needed to be performing well here.
“My message was simple. If he wanted to be called up, he would have to perform well at Palmeiras. Without that, the path to the national team would be much more difficult.”
Abel Ferreira also spoke about when they first signed the Argentine:
“Flaco López is the result of a lot of hard work. We know how difficult it is to form and develop players of that level, especially in a period when many players are living with the expectation of competing in a World Cup.
“We were heavily criticized for signing him. Flaco was questioned and pressured but when that happens, the answer has to be resilience. It’s about trusting the process and keep working.
“Football is like life. There are phases when everything flows and others when the difficulties show up. The difference isn’t just in winning or losing but in how we face obstacles.
“For me, what defines the best is the attitude in the face of tough moments. And Flaco showed that ability to keep going, believe in the work and evolve.”
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