Sergiño Dest once looked like a talent destined to fade away in the shadows of football’s great cathedrals. Barcelona let him go after more than 70 appearances in two years, and in Milan he never found his place with Pioli (“I honestly hoped to play more”). Then came the darkness of a torn ACL, like a door slammed shut on the future. But football sometimes offers second lives. Today at PSV (2 goals and 3 assists in 8 games), Dest has turned scars into wings and runs like Forrest Gump, free and fearless. On his back he carries a backpack full of redemption, with no room for regrets. And in his drawer of dreams, he has also placed Italy.
How is Sergiño Dest’s new life?
“I have three simple dreams: win the league again with PSV for the third time in a row, play a good World Cup in 2026, and return to another top international club, maybe in Italy.”
Maybe Milan?
“Could be. Milan is a fantastic city, I hope to return one day.”
What didn’t work at Milan?
“Wrong place at the wrong time. The timing was unlucky. I wasn’t at my best, to be honest, especially because I came from a complicated situation at Barcelona. I remember the trust from Maldini and Massara from the first day I arrived. With Pioli there wasn’t much of a connection. Calabria was the captain and played in my position, it wasn’t easy for Pioli either. Milan is still an incredible club.”
Explain this lack of connection with Pioli:
“The relationship was always good. By connection I mean I hoped to play more, honestly. I want to stress that I never had problems with him, he’s a good person. He made his choices and I respect them.”
How did the Milan deal come about?
“It was September 1, 2022, the last day of the transfer window. Barcelona wanted to loan me, I was 21 and looking for a high-level club. The deal with Milan was lightning quick, I thank Maldini and Massara for their trust," he told Gazzetta.
Fourteen matches, three as a starter, and some fitness issues: regrets?
“No regrets. I enjoyed Milan a lot despite everything and I learned a great lesson from people like Maldini, Massara, Leao, and Ibrahimovic: never give up. Even being out for a long time made me mentally stronger. And also better…”
Better in what way?
“In the kitchen. Italian food is delicious. I also appreciated your culture.”
Let’s go further back. In Barcelona, from a regular starter you became a transfer option in two years. Dest answered:
“In Barcelona I learned so much, playing at the highest level with phenomenal players. I made over 70 appearances in two years, about 50 as a starter. Ronald Koeman had a lot of faith in me, then with the arrival of Xavi and the new president Laporta, many things changed, along with the club’s financial problems. I wasn’t given another chance. In football I learned that coaches and directors want their own players, and I wasn’t part of that group. I’ll always be grateful to Barça for my time there, but if I had been given the chance to prove my worth in that new team they were building, I’m sure I would have done well.”
How are you now?
“I’m good and happy. I want to play football more and stay healthy.”
How do you separate private life from professional life?
“Privately I’m a quiet guy, I rest a lot and work hard. I try to take better care of myself. On the professional side it’s an intense period with the Champions League, the national team, and the league. The schedule is tight.”
Have you fully recovered from the ACL injury in January 2024?
“Yes, I’ve been fully healed since last April. I’m happy because I still managed to help PSV win the league last year. Everything is going well. Of course, it was a tough injury mentally. The recovery was hard and lonely. Now I feel great.”
Two goals and three assists in the first eight matches this season with PSV: are we seeing a “new” Dest?
“I wouldn’t say so. As you get older you definitely become more experienced and stronger, but my playing style is the same as when I was at Ajax as a teenager. I always try to improve as a player. I’m a full-back and I take inspiration from Ronaldinho.”
You were born to an American father and Dutch mother, and in the end you chose to represent the United States.
“I’ve always played for the U.S. since I was 15. My feelings are tied to America, I can’t wait for the World Cup.”
