Leandro Barreiro opens the book: “People want the Benfica champion”

Csummoned by Jeff Strasser for the first four days of the League of Nations group phase, in which Luxembourg will take the lead Bulgaria (two times), Iceland and Estonia, Leandro Barreiro granted an extensive interview to the newspaper this Thursday Luxemburger Wort, in which he did what he didn't usually do, and approached the most personal side of life.

The average, remember, arrived at the Stadium of Light in the summer of 2024, coming from Mainz, the ‘zero cost’, and so far, adds 14 goals and 12 assists after 110 official matches, in all competitions. The preponderance in the embodied squad is increasing and has been accompanied by a natural public recognition.

“ For the past two years, my life hasn't changed to the point where I can't go out on the street anymore. People want to give me strength and they want Benfica to win the title of champion. These days, I may be told more often that I played a good game and that I'm important to the team. When I go to a café, they approach me to talk about Benfica ", said.

“ People are happy when they see a footballer in a café, a pharmacy or a supermarket. They recognize me and they want to talk to me. I try to treat with respect all the people who approach me and I am happy with every positive comment”, he added, without hiding that Portuguese fans “are much more passionate” than Luxembourgers

“ For many, the club is the most important thing in life. So sometimes I have to keep a little more distance to not let myself be influenced by these emotions,” he said.

“I hardly see football”

The 26-year-old player then stressed that what he does in the private sphere “does not concern anyone”, so that he only shares it with his “mental trainer”: “He has been working with me for almost six years. We've analyzed everything and we've looked for methods that allow me to deal better with difficult situations. I talk to him about everything, because I think everything influences my performance in the field. Therefore, it would not be wise to exclude a part of my life.”.

“I like reading, playing piano, taking walks and spending time with my dog. It is no longer a secret that I see an anime”, the Luxembourg international confessed, before revealing that he is learning to speak... Japanese: “I use Duolingo. I don't have a private teacher, because that would mean another commitment. Learning from the application may not be the best method, but for me it is enough”.

“A few years ago, I wouldn’t have said anything about it, but in the meantime I became a little more relaxed. I try to spend my time with my family and talk about other things. I've got enough practice and games. If you also talk about football in your spare time, it becomes too much. I hardly watch football. The only games I see are those of Mainz or sometimes a great game of Champions League ", concluded.