Peruvian defender Alexander Callens is one of the key players in Ricardo Gareca's squad for every match of the Peruvian national team, but he is also crucial for his club New York City in the MLS, where he has reached his best version and is fighting to reach the Eastern Conference final to win the title.
"We are in a good moment, but we shouldn't think that we are going to be champions. We have to go step by step. On Tuesday, we have a very important match for everyone, we are going to face the champion and I think that, depending on what happens, we will think about the rest. Right now the team is focused and always humble for what's to come," confessed the player to Diario As.
In North America, the defender shared a team with great European figures and learned some lessons from them. "Patrick (Vieira) taught me a lot when I arrived here. He was always pushing me to give my best. The truth is that he was as he always was: a very aggressive player, fast, and with a lot of quality on the field. I learned a lot from him," said the Peruvian.
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In addition to the Frenchman, he also rubbed shoulders with 'Guaje': "David (Villa) is a great person. I was surprised when I saw him because, after winning everything - Champions League and World Cup - he came with the same humility. He was always with us, supporting us, giving us encouragement in good and bad times. He is truly a great person," he confessed.
In addition, Callens was also close to an Italian legend: "Andrea (Pirlo) as well, very humble, very calm. He would speak to you when he needed to. Training with them was a very beautiful experience that will stay with me for the rest of my life," said the former Sport Boys player.
The 29-year-old player has been nominated as the best defender of the Major League Soccer (MLS). Regarding this, he commented: "I feel very happy. In the end, one says that if you are nominated it's because you are doing a good job throughout the year. The effort you are making, the dedication you put in every day is bearing fruit. That motivates me to work harder, to have more hunger, and to keep improving," he said.
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However, despite having a good time at his club, he does not rule out returning to the Old Continent. "I always want new challenges, and if God wants me to go to Europe, I would be very happy. I would work with the same conviction to keep proving myself," he concluded.