Atlético Nacional

"Atlético Nacional" is more than just the team he supports. It's his home. And although he wouldn't feel as comfortable in any other club in the country, Sebastián Pérez Cardona considered the possibility of leaving the place where he was born for football, after waiting for several months for an opportunity that never came.

"I considered leaving Nacional because I wanted to play. I'm not complacent. And if they didn't consider me, there was the possibility of going to another club to get minutes," said the midfielder, who admitted three months ago, in an interview with As Colombia, that it hurt to see Daniel Bocanegra taking his place on the field: "It's hard for me to see a teammate playing in that position who doesn't normally play there."

The last semester wasn't easy. His performances as a starter were sporadic, and suddenly he disappeared from the squad lists. In the Liga Águila I-2015, he played 476 minutes and started in 4 games. The story repeated itself in the Copa Libertadores, where he played only 26 minutes.

To make his situation even more complex, Pérez was hit by rumors indicating that he wasn't in coach Juan Carlos Osorio's plans due to acts of indiscipline. "That's a lie. I've never been a disobedient player or someone who causes trouble. That talk is completely false," said the 22-year-old midfielder.

To reinforce his version even further, he added: "Thanks to God, I've always had the support of the directors and that's why I believe I'm here (at Nacional). Likewise, he said that the vacation time served him to reflect. "When you have those days off, you think about what you didn't do, what you left undone, and what you can improve," he commented.

Now, 'Sebas' is "ready to start from scratch and regain confidence" with the fresh air brought by the coaching staff led by Reinaldo Rueda. He understands that the fight won't be easy because "we have good players in my position and it's going to be highly contested" for that double five position that the coach will use.

"I hope I can get continuity. I've been looking for that for a while. That's why I train and that's why I want to be at Nacional. I've had a good preseason and I hope it can work out for me with this new coaching staff," said the Antioquia native.

Pérez, who is recovering from a mild knee sprain, is already embracing the concepts of the Valle del Cauca helmsman: "I understand his playing style. He wants intensity and wants to clear the ball from that area." But beyond assimilating the tactical, the homegrown player highlighted the approach he had with Rueda to build a good relationship and have the chance to play in the two tournaments that Nacional will compete in.

"I've talked to him (Rueda). I try to get to know him and for him to get to know me. He has told me that he likes my game and that he knows I can contribute a lot to the team. But you have to work to prove that you should be a starter (...) He will put in whoever deserves to play," concluded the midfielder, who will be in recovery for eight days and will miss the friendly match this Saturday (8:00 p.m.) against Vélez Sarsfield of Argentina at Polideportivo Sur de Envigado.