“I dream of taking Colombia to the next World Cup”

Óscar Estupiñán’s season will end with his debut with the Colombian National Team. After five seasons belonging to Vitoria de Guimaraes, the striker said goodbye to the club and his fans a few days ago and now he only thinks about playing his first minutes with the Tricolor. The Colombian attends Diario As to analyze his time in Portugal and his first call with the national team since he became a professional.

-How do you rate your time in the Portuguese League after five years?

The truth is that there have been five seasons linked to Vitoria, in which it has been an important process in my career where it has been reflected in the last year. I also have to thank the club that gave me the opportunity to play in Europe, my teammates and all the coaching staff with whom I met. I think they were and have been fundamental tools for my performance to grow every day. Obviously, it is difficult to leave the club where I have been for so long because there is a special affection for the fans and I only have words of gratitude for the time I spent and for everything I experienced.

-The last year of Vitoria has been very good with the classification to the Conference. How was the reaction in the locker room?

We had to wait for the final result of the Portuguese Cup to find out if Porto beat Tondela. In the end, they won 3-1 and that result guaranteed us to play in the Conference next season. We had a very good campaign, although we had some moments of ups and downs, but we worked hard to achieve our goal. It was important for Vitoria to enter Europe since they had not qualified for a few years and the group did a very important job to achieve it.

-Vitoria has been six seasons without qualifying for a European competition. What value do you give to achieving the goal?

I give the value to the collective from the coaching staff to all the players. Each one played the role of him so that the objectives were met and my colleagues also helped me, that is, we help each other together because the individual is always a granite so that it is the group that can achieve the goals. I only put my part and my companions helped in their positions.

-15 goals and three assists this season, being his best numbers in Europe

Yes, I have contributed to the team in a great way to achieve the objectives. But my teammates have helped me a lot from the passes to the centers so that I had a good season. Also the coaching staff with the advice during the training sessions that have helped me to continue growing.

-Seven goals of the 15 goals have been headed. You are one of the best spikers in Europe. Is it one of your best virtues?

Clearly. It is a strength that I work every day to continue exploiting it. Obviously I don’t leave aside the other virtues such as the pass, the delivery… It’s a mixture of everything so that I can continue to improve all the records as a player and things happen season after season.

-On May 19 you said goodbye to Vitoria. Was the farewell with your teammates and club members hard?

Yes, farewells are always difficult and even more so leaving a club that has given me so many things for five seasons. It’s not easy how I post on my social networks because matches are experienced in a very special way on the Vitoria pitch. It’s an incredible atmosphere, unique every weekend we played there. Now I’m not going to be here anymore and I leave a part of me in them. I am leaving with great sadness but with the desire to continue improving and take one more step in my career. Also always leaving the doors open.

-Girlfriends are not lacking, especially in South America with the rumors of Corinthinas and Atlético Nacional

I always focus on the moment, on the now. So, I only think about the National Team to give my best because it’s a dream I’ve had since I was a child. I leave the topic of the clubs that have been interested to my representative, I only think of Colombia.

-Would you like to be in Europe or South America?

My dreams were to play in Europe and wear the Colombia shirt. I already got the first one and the second one is very close. Now I just want to enjoy my debut with the Tricolor to the fullest and better moments will come later.

-Have you followed Colombia during the South American Qualifiers?

I have accompanied the National Team throughout the process. Right now, I am very happy about the call and being part of the national team. It has always been my dream and it is a responsibility that I hope to contribute to in every training session and on the pitch.

-How did you feel when you saw yourself called for the friendly against Saudi Arabia?

Each player works to wear the shirt of his National Team. I have had the dream of being with them and being able to do my bit. It is a very big opportunity and I think that every player dreams of it because it is a merit that not everyone has. So you have to make the most of it to be able to enjoy it.

-Without a doubt, it was one of the best days of your life as a professional, right?

Yes, it’s something I’ve been waiting for since I was a child and soon I’m going to fulfill it.

–Colombian talent has shone a lot this season in Europe. We have Luis Diaz at Liverpool, Sinisterra at Feyenoord and you. Do you think you can be the pillars of the resurgence of Colombia?

In Colombia they have been working very well and now a good generation of Colombian players is arriving. At this moment, there are many players who are raising the flag of the country. This helps and motivates each of us. Everyone’s goal is to be in the next World Cup in 2026.

Óscar Estupiñán is happy with…take Colombia to the next World Cup.