Martín Demichelis commented on the match against River ahead of the Club World Cup.

FIFA continues with its series of interviews with different figures who will participate in the revamped Club World Cup starting in a few months. This time, it was Martín Demichelis's turn, the current coach of Rayados de Monterrey, who spoke about the special significance of his match against River, the club where he was trained, played, and even coached until not long ago: "It's a special match for me because I finished developing as a player and as a person within the institution".

Demichelis recalled his beginnings and how River marked his career from the early steps: "I played in River's youth teams, became a professional player, finished my schooling, started college there, and was sold abroad", he said, and then added: "I always said, when I set foot in Europe, that I wanted to represent the 'River world' well. I played for the Argentine National Team and always somehow represented River".

He also referred to his return as a coach and the significance of that cycle: "I had the chance to return to the institution 20 years later as a coach, having won titles, in the step before becoming Rayados's coach. I come from there, coincidentally. So, it's a special match, indeed".

Additionally, Demichelis expressed his excitement about the possibility of a match against another club that marked his career: Bayern Munich. "I spent eight years as a player within the institution and then four years as a coach. So, it would be peculiar. We haven't faced them in the group. Hopefully, the tournament will allow us to advance and, who knows, dream of a hypothetical match against Bayern", Micho commented.

Rayados de Monterrey's participation

In another part of the conversation, the coach of the Mexican team spoke about the challenge this international competition represents: "It's a great honor to be present, personally, to represent Monterrey, aiming to have a tournament worthy of the circumstances, it's a great challenge".

Meanwhile, the coach explained how they are mentally prepared to face the tournament despite the season's context: "Even though we are in the middle of the season, when the time comes, we will face that tournament with great enthusiasm, great hope, with a lot of energy to do well".

Regarding the squad he has, he was clear: "We have a great squad to compete, without any shame about who we face, with the dignity we represent, indeed, but with the personality and desire to beat anyone".

To conclude, he referred to the role a figure like Sergio Ramos plays within the team: "Sergio arrived with the hope of coming and winning. I think he adapted very quickly, despite having been out of competition for nine months after his last stint with Sevilla. From his career, from his hierarchy, from his personality, we hope he can inspire each member of this institution, it benefits us".