Alberth Elis he is a boy who dreamed it and today by the work of God, as he rightly says, he is fulfilling every one of his dreams in football. The Honduran striker is one of the footballers facing the country and Central AmericaBut getting to where he is has not been easy, he has had to deal with many adversities.
SEE MORE: What Alberth Elis thinks about the start of the World Cup qualifier
The ‘Panterita’ since she played barefoot in the dusty streets of Chamelecón dreaming of reaching the world elite and playing against the best in the world; is about to get it after signing up for Bordeaux from League 1 of France, A league where he will be related to players of the size of Neymar, Mbappé, Messi O Sergio Ramos.
The career of the 25-year-old Honduran player has had its ups and downs, from the rejection of one of the big clubs in National League like the one of the real Spain to the point of being criticized in scratched of Monterrey of Mexico, But he has savored the honeys of the triumph in the Houston Dynamo from MLS and later with the Good view of Portugal, Without neglecting the sweet moments lived with the “H” in the heart.
Now, with the 29th of Bordeaux of France on his back he gives his first interview to DEU and reviews what he has experienced as a player in the French squad, where he will have the privilege of being led by Vladimir Petkovic, Technician of Swiss in the recent Euro i Russia 2018.
Elis remembers his dream of playing Europe, Speaks about the French language, reveals that he has invited a David Suazo see you on ‘ Bordeaux-Atlantique Stadium and that it does not move him to change t-shirts; is focused on completing his recovery and being ready to help his team achieve the goals set.
THE INTERVIEW OF TEN IN ELIS:
How about everything for Bordeaux?
Very well, very happy to be here, thank God I was given the opportunity to come to Bordeaux. I am so glad to be here.
How is learning the French language?
Here we are learning a few words, greetings and that. I will start classes in the next few days to speak better. Right now I’m trying to listen and listen so I can learn a little and capture what they tell me.
Did the Portuguese handle it well?
Yes, I speak a little, but as I was in the United States, then a lot of people speak English here and as I speak it, it gets easier for me.
How were Alberth Elis’ first days in Bordeaux?
Very good, I have been well received, Bordeaux is a great institution, I think as I said before, I am glad to be here, all the people working on the team are very kind and have given me a great welcome.
At what point do you realize he is a Bordeaux player?
We had been negotiating for many days, but two days before we were going to travel everything was ready, but of course there are the medical tests that need to be passed but it is something that has been working for a few weeks. The team’s sports manager, Admar López, was the one who said long before that only a few details were missing for the transfer to take place and thank God it was.
This very special detail of the Honduran flag. Was it your idea or the team’s?
The team had the flag, I thought it was a good idea to be able to take pictures with the flag and how it dresses, I also walked a bracelet with the flag of my country, it was something cute in the end, it came out very well, always proud to represent Honduras wherever he is. That of the flag the team had saved, I was surprised that they had it, I think it was a nice detail to the whole country.
And that of the mask?
They were the ones who had it too. I have masks but I didn’t wear them.
They told him something about the panther celebration because a Frenchman named Bafétimbi Gomis celebrates it like that too …
No, they didn’t tell me anything, it all started putting on my mask and I celebrate like a panther because I’ve always been told that, and that’s where this comes from.
Did it feel like a crack at the presentation for how it was given?
No, it’s normal here, that’s how they present the players, that’s how they receive them in a good way so that one feels comfortable and happy to get here. Very happy with the presentation. These are things that one dreams and imagines, and today being fulfilled is very beautiful.
Taking a look back from the 2013 UAE World Cup to date, what do you think of your career, did you think you would get this far?
One from a young age takes it all step by step, the first thing one dreams of is to be able to make his debut in his country professionally, then represent his team at a higher level and then play in the best leagues in the world and Europe. Thank God I’m fulfilling one of my childhood dreams, I know I still have to go through and learn and that’s what I try to do every day.
All the sacrifice he made of lowering his salary in MLS to move to Europe is finally worth it
Of course, from the moment I left Honduras this was my dream, to play in Europe. I always said it and kept it, I got into MLS and I never lost sight of what that was, it was always the goal, I didn’t lose sight of it, I was working thinking about it. I knew the opportunity was coming and I had to be prepared because if it was useless, then the Boavista came and we can say that individually it was a good year, but now this is a new challenge, it will not be easy, but they are things that cost.
Why did you choose t-shirt number 29?
There were several options, but to see that David Suazo had used it at the time when he came to Inter Milan and of all the options they had I liked. Using the same number of it was something I thought was great, I wrote to him before it all happened. I have always had communication with him, for me it is an honor to talk to David, in fact, I invited him to a party and I hope he can come here and there soon.
With the subject of food how are you doing?
Always where one goes the footballer’s lunch is the same. For now I am in a hotel hoping to be able to stay here in the city and the food here in the hotel and in training is good, no problem with that.
Have you talked to coach Vladimir Petkovic?
Yes, we could talk. He welcomed me. All right … he told me he hopes to be 100% recovered so he can count on me. I also want to contribute a lot to the team.
When do you fully join the workouts?
We hope in two weeks to be able to be training the pair of teammates. It’s time for my rehab and you have to respect that time before you go in to train, but everything is fine, everything is going in order. I’m working out in the gym and trying to be okay to get back to 100%.
And Bordeaux as such a city, has it already come to know it?
Yes, I left, I was able to go to the center, it is a beautiful city, one of the best I have ever known and I am very happy to be here. My day to day is to go to train at the club facilities, I talk to my teammates, then to rest. I was with Ricardo Sleeves, I had been with him in the Boavista, I had a good friendship and right now knowing my teammates, they have received me very well.
Who brings it to headquarters? Does it already go there?
No, no (laughs). As we have several new players here at the hotel, they pick us up and come to drop us off. Right now I’m not with any relatives.
When is your debut expected?
I couldn’t tell you an exact date, but first wait for God to be on the technician’s orders on day 6 or 7, if everything goes in order I hope to be on any of those days.
Apart from Bordeaux what other clubs were interested in you?
No, now it no longer makes sense to talk about it. The important thing is that I am here, I feel happy to work to bring the best of mine to the team. I prefer not to talk about it, the only thing I can tell you is that I am very happy to be here and what I want is to recover to be at 100%.
What differences do you see between Boavista and Bordeaux?
The two are great institutions only they are different leagues. Now it’s my turn to adapt to this team. The important thing is this, adapt and surrender.
And how many Bordeaux shirts have you already ordered?
(Laughter) As always, family and friends, who are the people who are always there with one, but it’s normal for them to always be the first to have t-shirts on my side.
Does it motivate you to be in a league where Messi, Mbappé, Neymar and other stars are?
Of course, I am motivated to be in this league and of the beautiful opportunity I have, very happy to be in Bordeaux. I’m ready to prove my potential but first I have to get well physically.
Already seen in a PSG-Bordeaux being scored by Sergio Ramos?
Normal. Whether it’s the team against whatever it is to play, it’s a matter of doing things right, of proving, one as a striker always tries to score goals no matter who is in front and what team.
Xoco Lozano already experienced the kicks of Sergio Ramos …
(Laughter) Yes, yes, I watched the matches here.
In a game against PSG, if he had to ask the shirt of a player who asks for it?
I’m not thinking about that right now, I’m focused on recovering to help my team which is why they signed me. I prefer to think about what is done on the field. I don’t think about that.
Isn’t it a lot to change t-shirts?
Truth not, it’s very rare for me to change t-shirts, if given the chance and it happens, it happens, but I’m not into walking around changing t-shirts.