Photo: Bryan Berlin / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons
Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez has spoken about his formative years in Argentine football, from childhood kickabouts to winning the league title with River Plate. The interview, originally conducted in 2023, is being republished on the day Argentina face Spain in the World Cup final.
Fernandez was born in Villa Bonich, San Martin, on the outskirts of Buenos Aires. He began playing at junior club La Recova alongside his brothers before joining River Plate at the age of six.
'I gave my first kicks when I was three. When I was six, I started to play for River. I was six when I took part in my first training session,' Fernandez said.
He remained at River Plate until he turned 18, after which he was sent on loan to Defensa y Justicia. He returned to River and went on to win the league title there.
'I spent most of my life in River, and I feel thankful for the love and trust they put in me,' he said. 'Having fulfilled the dream of becoming a champion with them, that is priceless.'
Fernandez also credited his loan spell at Defensa y Justicia as a key stage in his development. He worked under former Chelsea striker Hernan Crespo for four to five months before Sebastian Beccacece took over, with the club going on to win the La Recopa.
'He [Crespo] is a very special person. He's always tried to support me, and I learnt a lot from him and his technical staff,' Fernandez said. 'He was a very important person, a great coach, although a bit crazy, as I used to tell him.'
Fernandez also noted the personal significance of his name. His father, a lifelong River Plate supporter, named him after club legend Enzo Francescoli.
Argentina, who won the World Cup in 2022, face Spain in tonight's final in New Jersey.