Santiago Gimenez spoke to the microphones of Milan TV to introduce himself to the fans. First of all, he spoke about his childhood and said the following:
"My childhood? Argentina is a country I love, where my whole family lives, and where I spent the first four years of my life. Then my father, who was a footballer, had to move to Mexico for work, and so as a child, I went with him. I spent my entire childhood there. Without a doubt, Argentina is a place where I feel at home, just like Mexico. If I had to choose, I obviously feel more Mexican simply because I have lived my whole life in Mexico, but I also carry Argentina in my heart," as relayed via Milannews.it.
On his career, Gimenez said:
"I have always been passionate about football since I was a child, and I have always loved watching it. I grew up in an era when Serie A was the best league, and that made me follow it closely."
On Milan:
"Is it true that it has always been my dream? Everything went exactly as I wanted."
On joining Milan:
"Since I was a child, I have always followed Milan. It was one of the teams I loved when I was little. I used to watch Kaká, Beckham, Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Pirlo, Gattuso play... basically, that entire group of players who mesmerized the world. And since I was a child, it has always been my dream. When they called me, I said to myself: ‘Wow, I have this opportunity, and I don’t want to let it slip away.’"
On the childhood photo wearing a Milan shirt and the one with Kaká:
"It’s one of many photos I have as a child wearing the Milan shirt. I also met Kaká, who is a role model for me—not just in football but also because we share the same faith. He has always motivated me, talked to me about faith, and inspired me. From that moment, I knew Milan was the right destination for me."
On what scoring goals means to him:
"It has a meaning that goes beyond football. Some might say I insist too much on faith, but kneeling in front of the entire stadium and millions of cameras to thank God is the best way to give Him glory and also to be an example of how, with God, everything is possible. For a striker, scoring is everything. Strikers live for goals, and the only way to give back the joy that the fans give you is to score many goals and make them celebrate often."
On being Milan’s first Mexican player:
"It’s an honor. Just being here at Milan, regardless of nationality, is an honor, and I want to represent these colors in the best way possible."
On next year’s World Cup in Mexico, Gimenez commented:
"There is no greater pride than representing your national team, your country, so playing a World Cup at home is a privilege. But in the end, every player grows by playing for their club. So right now, I am focused on giving everything for Milan so I can be in great shape for the World Cup and also bring a lot of joy here."
On his connection to Italy:
"My great-grandfather was born here in Italy; he is Italian, and thanks to him, I was able to obtain an Italian passport. Also for this reason, I feel a little ashamed not to know Italian, but I will take lessons and learn quickly. For now, I understand it a little because it's similar to Spanish, but I will take lessons to speak it."
On faith:
"For me, it is everything. At a time when I couldn't find my path, I met Jesus Christ, and He showed me my way. This is very important to me. I believe that with God, everything is possible. I started this journey when I had a thrombosis in my arm, and the doctors told me I had to stop playing football. That was when I met Christ, and He performed the miracle, so I was able to return to playing."
On the number 7, Gimenez said:
"29 is the number with which I made my debut, and then I also had it at Feyenoord. 29 is special, but also 11, which I wear for the national team. 7 was available, so I tried to find a meaning for it, and there is a very important one: it is the perfect number in the Bible."
On his happiness:
"When I am with my family, I think that's the moment of greatest happiness because I am a family man, and they give me so much love and happiness, just like the moments I spend alone with God. Those are the happiest moments."
On his family:
"Would I like to have a child? Yes, very much. We are waiting a little because we still want to travel a bit, enjoy life a little, and then take on this responsibility."
On pressure:
"At this level, you play under a lot of pressure because of the passion of the fans. Depending on how the team performs, the fans have a good or bad week, and that's where the pressure comes from. I think pressure is managed by giving everything on the pitch. Leaving the field knowing you've given your all. In football, you win and lose, but if you leave the pitch knowing you've given everything, you can be at peace and handle the pressure."
On fans in Italy:
"I had the chance to play against Lazio and Roma, and the atmosphere is very intense, but the Milan-Inter derby is crazy, it's incredible. The way they live football and support the team for the entire match is incredible."
On the best advice he has received:
"I remember when they told me I had to stop playing, I locked myself in a room and asked my father why this was happening to me. He told me he didn't know, that I had to ask God. And with that advice, my life completely changed. I started my journey with God and with faith."
On the Champions League match against Feyenoord:
"There were a lot of emotions after the draw. I wanted there to be Milan-Feyenoord because, if I had stayed in the Netherlands, I would have faced the team I dreamed of playing for anyway. Now that I am here, it will be wonderful to return to Rotterdam. I have a strong bond with Feyenoord, and I will be able to say goodbye to the team with which I lived beautiful moments. It will be a special night."
He added:
"What remains of that child is the passion and joy with which I step onto the pitch. As kids, we play without pressure and with a lot of passion, but when you reach the first team, you start thinking about what the fans will say. And that sometimes prevents you from playing freely. I try to play like a child—without pressure, with passion, freely, and having fun. I will never lose that."
On the nickname 'Bebote', Gimenez said:
"It comes from my family. My parents, my whole family, called me 'Bebote' when I was little because I was big for my age. I was bigger than my teammates, so they called me 'Bebote.' Eventually, a friend of my father, who worked in television, Tito Villa, knew they called me that, and one time, while commenting on a match, when I scored, he said that 'Bebote' had scored. And from that moment, everyone calls me that."
