Given the chance to demonstrate his abilities during the Final of the Club World Cup, Jeffren Suárez grabbed the bull by the horn, and showed everyone one aspect of the game that the team can exploit from him; his pace. The Venezuelan-born winger, 22-years-old come 20th January, was ecstatic and is determined to keep on proving himself again when given the chance.

The player granted Catalan sports paper Sport an interview yesterday…

What were your feelings during the Saturday final?

While I was warming up I thought Bojan was the one going out, and when I did came on, I was nervous. However, once the first move went well for me, the nerves just went away. I was more relaxed and felt liberated. Everything went well and we won.

What did Guardiola say to you after the match?

That the team was lacking pace and thanks to my inclusion, everything worked out better.

And what were the reactions of your teammates?

They congratulated me and everyone praised my pace. The boss said he’s going to fine me, and I was dumb-founded by that. When I asked him why, he said it was for speeding.

Your hometown must have enjoyed the moment?

In Tenerife (where he stayed in Spain), they were thrilled. No one expected that I would play, much less in the final.

Pedrito and you come from the same island; have you guys been friends for a long time?

We’ve known each other for five or six years. In Tenerife, we used to play against each other; I was with Tenerife and he’s with San Isidro. Sometimes they would win but we were stronger.

Has the perception of your status in the team changed very much after this?

I feel very good after the match because I needed something like that after being out for a month, and I won’t be able to peak without playing. It gave me a little satisfaction. I know that I am in the best team in the world, but we all want to play. That match helped me a lot and now I am more motivated than ever to push myself forward and work harder because I can see that the boss believes in all of his players.

Would you have liked if Robinho was to come during the winter market?

I have to sincerely say no. It would be more difficult for me, and it is already difficult for me to play as it is now. It would be even worse then.

How is the atmosphere in the team?

Very good … Of course there are certain players that I was much friendlier with like Abidal or Henry, but they are all incredible.

Have you ever felt that they are people who might voice their disapprovals when you came on in Abu Dhabi?[/b]

If anyone ever thought about it, I can only hoped that they saw the work rate that I put in, and it is not that bad.

Has it ever occur to you that you might have to leave the club?

Yes, I did. If Robinho had come, I would not have stayed. Now though, even if I could not get the minutes that I would have liked, I still want to keep on learning, and I’m better off doing it here than if I’m anywhere else.

Was it good news that Pep has made the confirmation that Robinho is not coming?

He told us about it some time ago and it was something I was hoping for.

What went through your mind when Pedro scored the equaliser?

Happy thoughts; I thought how fortunate I was to be there. I enjoyed the minutes the coach gave me. It was like a dream come true. And more importantly, in the extra-time we clinched Club World Cup.

Lionel Messi’s family at the FIFA World Player award ceremony

Bojan Goal


Highlights

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