And, of course, this has caused expectations to skyrocket for a footballer facing his first experience in the League, after being tested in Chile, Uruguay and the United States, where he was MLS champion and proclaimed MVP of the competition, with New York City. Interestingly, he was never a professional player in his home country of Argentina, where he failed to qualify for any club he tried. They even dismissed him because of his physique. “He was very weak,” says Castellanos, who is used to attracting attention. He was already doing it in his neighborhood, when at the age of five he stood out against children of 12. You must have character if you are the youngest of five siblings. And will, to escape the dangers. “The head is key, I’m very selective with who I surround myself with. I never got carried away by the vices or the bad people, who were there, because any neighborhood boy sees them. The mental aspect is the main virtue, then they sell the qualities”. He repeats it like a mantra.
Domènec Torrent was the one who asked for it in the United States and who, slowly, shaped the interpretations in his game. Castellanos always rewatches the matches he plays, analyzing every detail. Torrent was the first to tell him that he would catch bigger milestones. In New York it also coincided with Eloi Amagat, the only one who has worn the Girona shirt in Third, Second B, Second and First. The Taty he does not cut a hair and bites the opponents, in the good sense of the definition, every time he does not have the ball. Watching him is exhausting, going up and down until he gets her back. But this is a key aspect of Míchel’s footballing ideals, which demands high, effective and persistent pressure, to hurt opponents as soon as possible. And this is where Castellanos shines the most and where he can put into practice the mischief he exploited while playing in the street. “We would stay until three or four in the morning. Sometimes I would escape and my mother would stand there, straighten my hair and bring me home,” he says with a laugh.
Take care and grade the messages
In an interview to The nation, Castellanos talked about the weight of players in society. “Once I was waiting at the doors of a hotel for them to sign me. I remember that, that’s why I’m predisposed to it now.” He also moderates his behavior on social media. “I’m not one influencer, I’m a soccer player. There are things I like to teach and others I don’t, like things of value, because that display can be sensitive. Among my followers there are sure to be those who have difficulty covering essential aspects. And I have to teach them according to what? This goes down badly. I have people who help me take care of and grade the messages,” he defended, tapping his feet on the floor.
No one calls Valentín Castellanos Valentín Castellanos. “They tell me Taty by the sound of a horn playing it. He was only one and a half years old and could not speak, it was the first word. They said to me: “Valentín, say dog”, and I said: “Taty». They insisted: “Say mother”, and I: “Taty». And that’s how it stayed.” Montilivi already knows what he will have to sing after each goal. He will celebrate them by putting one hand on his forehead, as if making a visor, and the other over his mouth. “It’s a dedication to my friends” .
