Manchester United starlet Garnacho was honored with the Puskás Award at the 2024 Best of the Year awards series for his stunning reverse-field goal against Everton. In an official interview with FIFA, he talked about his dream of playing soccer, the ecstasy of scoring a goal and his vision for the future.
Speaking of that unforgettable moment at Old Trafford, Ghana Joe could not contain his excitement: "When I first joined Manchester United's youth camp, I often dreamed of witnessing the first-team style here. At that time, I was unknown and unrecognized. Now, with 'Viva Garnacho' ringing in my ears, it's as if I'm in a dream world. I recall the fans singing Viva Ronaldo when Cairo was here, and today, the name of the song has changed, perhaps because our names - Ronaldo, Garnacho (Ronaldo and Garnacho are pronounced similarly) - sound different. I am very proud of that."
Referring to the Pushcart Prize win, Ganacho said, "The nomination itself has made me and my family ecstatic. It's not up to me to win the award, but I'm going to enjoy the process. I remember the ball flying up and I knew it was time to shoot. I had tried the barb countless times in training and at that moment I told myself, 'It's time, let's see what happens'. The ball went into the net in response, and it was perfect! After the goal, my teammates held their heads in shock and asked me for the secret. My family and friends sent me congratulations, which overwhelmed me."
Ganacho also revealed that he practiced barbs a lot in training, but often encountered skepticism from his teammates: 'B-Fay wasn't the only one, and many would say, 'Why don't you just head the ball?' I would respond, 'Please give me some credit, I'm trying my best to show my style'. When I score, I'll tell them, 'That's why I keep practicing my barbs!'"
Reflecting on his journey, Ganacho said, "I have always strived to improve and since I stepped into the first team two years ago, I have improved significantly in every aspect of my game. I'm maturing on the ball, scoring goals and we're winning trophies. I think I have done well but I will keep working hard to win more honors."
Looking to the future, Gancho is full of expectations: "It is my dream to play for the Argentine national team, alongside Lionel Messi. I have to keep working hard to get better. I played in the Copa America with my teammates, and even though I didn't play a lot of minutes, it was unforgettable to work with these great players and win the title. I hope that in the next World Cup I will be ready to play and we will work together to win."
