Al Jazira new recruit Lanzini hoping to leave a lasting imprint
abu dhabi — Manuel Lanzini is aware of the challenges in front of him but felt that he can navigate his way and leave a lasting imprint in the Middle East.
The exciting Argentine talent made a big move from his homeland to join UAE and Abu Dhabi heavyweights Al Jazira. Al Jazira fought off interest from Spanish club Villarreal, Turkish side Besiktas and English Premier League club Tottenham for the 21-year-old’s signature.
Lanzini, who has made four appearances for the Argentina Under-20 team, joins from River Plate and was unveiled after inking a a four-year deal. Lanzini, who also spent a season on loan with Brazilian club Fluminense, incidentally under former Al Jazira coach Abel Braga, will don the No.10 jersey.
The attacking playmaker, who will become the youngest international player in the Arabian Gulf League, is a direct replacement for Moroccan Abdelaziz Barrada, who was sold to French side Marseille.
“I’m happy to be here in the UAE. The people here and my teammates have made me feel very comfortable. I hope to do a good job and take a big step in my career,” Lanzini said on Sunday.
Lanzini had linked up with his new teammates during Al Jazira’s preseason tune-up in Switzerland and featured in three friendlies, scoring a goal and coming up with an assist.
And he was pleased with what he saw in his new team. “I saw a strong team, a very high level. They have a lot of quality. And they also have a lot of desire to win titles. The coach (Eric Gerets) gave me a lot of confidence and I will try and repay that on the pitch,” he said.
The move from South America to the Middle East is a massive step and Lanzini was under no illusions and revealed that he had made notes about his new environs. “I haven’t yet seen other teams here. But I know that the League here is very competitive. All Leagues around the world are different, be it the Spain, Italy, England, Argentina or Brazil. But I think that the League here is go step. It is not go- ing to be easy,” said Lanzini.
Lanzini, who won the Campeonato Carioca during his loan spell with Fluminense, will link up with new recruits Mirko Vucinic, Jonathan Pitroipa. He admitted that donning the No.10 jersey is a special feeling. “It is a special feeling to wear the No. 10 jersey. But with that comes responsibility. I was wearing the No.10 jersey for River Plate as well. Hopefully, I can deliver for Al Jazira,” Lanzini said.
With Argentina legend Diego Maradona based in the UAE, Lanzini is eager to meet him. “I hope that I can see him here. He is a legend,” he said. And he summed it up perfectly when he said,” Maradona is Argentina and Argentina is Maradona.”