“I would ask the boys who are in need that they never have to give up. That they sacrifice, value what they have and enjoy the moment. That they don’t throw in the towel, that they go ahead and fulfill their dreams. I come from a humble family. Sometimes there was nothing to eat. We got by with a cup of tea and a slice of bread. I remember it and I really appreciate the sacrifice I made to be able to be here and enjoy what football gives me”.
Matías Zaracho does not speak to speak. What he says is based on his experience, what he lived through, what he suffered and what he enjoyed. There was a stretch of effort, perseverance and ambition between that past stomach that used to groan with hunger and this current success in its activity. At 23 years old, the Negro comes from vacationing in the Caribbean and renting a house in a country, luxuries a few years ago he could only see on TV. Today from comfort, he attended Olé before rejoining Atlético Mineiro in Brazil, a team where he is leaving a mark. With whom he won three titles in one year, he garnered multiple compliments and built a happiness that does not enter his body.
Matías Zaracho won three titles in 2021 with Atlético Mineiro. Photo: @ matiizaracho28
-How do you define what was your 2021?
-It was an amazing year. I experienced many beautiful things. We won three titles (including the Mineiro Championship and the Brazilian Cup). We stayed with the Brasileirao, which had not been available for more than 50 years. Personally, it was an incredible 2021 and as a group, something beautiful. We form a beautiful family, we build many good things. It is beautiful to be able to share this with my family, with the people who follow me. I thank you for always supporting me, being by my side and accompanying me in this dream that I am living. And that led us to be able to win the three titles. We were a little short to reach the final of the Libertadores (they lost in the semis with Palmeiras), we would have entered history if we won all four titles.
-How was your adaptation to the team?
-It was a bit difficult at first. The change of game, country, language… But little by little I adapted. The affection of the people, the support of my family and my wife’s family helped me a lot in my mood. Game by game I noticed an evolution and I let go. Today I feel very comfortable.
-In football, what was the most difficult for you at the beginning?
-With Sampaoli I didn’t feel comfortable because of his style of play. In Racing I moved where the ball was. I was looking for her. I went, came back, occupied spaces… And Sampaoli wanted me to be more positional. He didn’t receive the ball much. It annoyed me, I was bad in the games, that brought me down and lowered the level. It was not what I expected. When he saw another technician (Cuca) I started to get the hang of it. And I had more freedom to go looking for the ball spaces, throw diagonals…
He enjoyed vacations in the Caribbean. Photo: @ matiizaracho28
-How do you take the arrival of Turco Mohamed to your team?
-He is a coach that excites me. Because I know that he is a coach who identifies with the attacking game and likes the midfielders to reach the goal. He is a good coach, let’s hope he does well.
-In Racing you hurt a lot when you appeared by surprise, without the ball.
-It’s part of my game: I’m always in the area, waiting for the goal. In Racing I wasted many opportunities, but I never stopped looking. I always get to the box, I’m always there. I defend and attack. They are one of my strengths in football.
The steering wheel broke it in Mineiro last year. Photo: @ matiizaracho28
-In the Academy you missed goals, but in Mineiro you scored 14, and some great goals. What did you improve?
-It could be a little more luck, to be able to hole the bow. I was given to do the goals here. But I knew that at some point I was going to start scoring goals. That he was going to break the streak of missing goals. Thank God, today I’m fine with the goals.
-Let River say it: you scored a great goal from the Chilean in the second leg of the quarterfinals of the last Libertadores…
-I always watch the Chilean to River and I still enjoy it the same (it was the 1-0 of the final 3-0 in Belo Horizonte). To this day they keep tagging me in the video of that goal. If I try again, I don’t know if it works. I really like doing that. I usually shoot it, but I had never scored a goal like that.
-What do you remember from that match?
-We knew that River was a very difficult rival. When we played in Brazil we won 1-0, but it was very tough. If they scored the first goal on their pitch, things would open up for them… But my first goal helped. We played very well and won 3-0. I remember that Gallardo congratulated me on the game and on the campaign we had been doing.
Maty, with the family, when she was still on vacation. Photo: @ matiizaracho28
-Boca was left on the road in the round of 16, on penalties, with the scandal over the goals annulled at the request of the VAR…
-That wasn’t up to us. Those of the VAR made their decision and what we have left is to play. It was a tough game with Boca. It was very busy. We would have liked to be able to beat him without the intervention of the VAR. But things happened like this, we have nothing to do with it.
Zaracho left the Inferiores of Racing, where he won two titles: Superliga 2018-2019 and Trophy of Champions 2019. He has a great sense of belonging to the club.
-What value do they give you in Brazil?
-I am very grateful. They make me feel that I am doing things well, although they give me love from the moment I arrive. Today more for the things that I am experiencing, I value it a lot, it helps me in the mood. I think I’m a good player, but not more than anyone else. I always try my best to improve. I think that in this 2022 I will give even more of myself because I always want to be the best.
-What issues would you like to adjust?
-2021 was very good personally. But if last year I scored 14 goals, now he wants to reach a minimum of 20. My goal is always to be better.
-You already played a friendly in the National Team, against Morocco. Do you feel that you are going to return in the short term?
-My dream, like that of every boy, is to be in the National Team to represent the country. I am always excited, pending. I always sacrifice myself thinking about that.
-Can you imagine playing the World Cup in Qatar?
-I want to be in the World Cup and I will do my best to be there. If not in this one, it will be in the other one. I am focused on being.
Matías was excited about a call for the new double date of the Qualifiers that is coming, but he was left out of Scaloni’s list. However, there is a lot of confidence in the future. And he assures: ”I did a lot of credit for the team where I am. I made a lot of goals that helped the team. I had a lot of good games. I think I made merits to be in the National Team, which has been playing very well. And that excites me. But that depends on the coach.”
-Although you played against Morocco, you did not get to share the field with Messi. Is your account pending?
-Yes, it would be amazing to be able to play with him. I was able to share training, yes. Sometimes I was left out because there were several teams. I saw Messi and thought: “How easy he does things.” If only we could all do what he does.
-How did you see Leo in the National Team that won the Copa América?
-I saw it very well. Beyond the criticism he had received before, he is the best in the world. I admire him a lot. And the National Team has a very good project, with several young people getting involved. It is incredible what they are doing. The team had a very good Copa América. I saw all the matches.
-About Paul and Lautaro Martínez, two former Racing like you, what do they tell you?
-I spoke with Lautaro and Rodri crossed it a little while ago, in Buenos Aires. The one I talk to the most is Lisandro Martínez (Ajax from the Netherlands), who tells me: “Soon you will be in the National Team.” We have a good friendship, he is a great player and a great person. We know each other for having shared the youth of the National Team.
-Do you see Argentina world champion?
-Let’s go step by step… We’ve just won the Copa America and it’s good. We are on the right way. If we do things right, they will take care of themselves.
-What image did Racing leave you in 2021?
-It hurt me that it did not go well for him because of the affection and love I have for the club. But Racing is great and is going to get ahead. You will do things better than last year.
-Because of that love you say, you donated 15% of your transfer to Mineiro to the club…
-Yes, and so that it continues to grow as it has since I arrived at the club. And since he had 50% of my pass left, maybe I can give him one more percentage, heh.
-When you look back and go back to the times before you were a professional player, what do you find?
-I value this present much more for the things I went through. Four years ago I could not have done this. And I have good friendships for many years, like with Nico Muscio and Matías Escudero (two former Racing). That makes me happy, knowing that good people surround me. Just like grandmother Marta (Muscio’s grandmother), who always calls me or sends me messages, always pending. She gave me a plate of food when I was missing. He did many things for me. I always have her present.
