Everyone says how difficult it is, but I like the group with Croatia, England and Ghanasaid Panamanian striker Ismael Diaz (28) in an interview with FIFA.
I come to the World Cup to compete against the best and to play against them. So, I am satisfied with the group we are insaid the forward of Mexican Leon.
Panama opens the World Cup on June 17 against Ghana in Toronto, then six days later they will meet in the same city Croatiaand then on June 27 in East Rutherford, they will compete against Englesche.
It will be the Panamanians’ second appearance at the WC after they made their debut in Russia losing all three games in the group – to England (1-6), Belgium (0-3) and Tunisia (1-2).
It was the first World Cup for Panama. I think the feelings were more like living the experiencehow do you feel. It’s different now, our mentality has changed. We want to do more than what we did at the last WC, he said.
“The biggest dream is to wear the jersey of the national team”
Diaz revealed that everyone dreams of their first victory.
That is our biggest wish right now. It would be incredible if it happened in our first game. Our emotions, our happiness would have no limits. That would be a dream come truehe added.
Diaz started his football journey in the local Tauro where he made his debut at the age of 15. Two years later, he joined Porto, but failed to establish himself in the Portuguese giants.
He also played for the second team of Deportivo, and then in Uruguay, Ecuador, and arrived in Mexico last year. He made 54 appearances for the Panamanian national team, scoring 17 goals.
The biggest dream of every player is to wear the jersey of the national team, represent your country. I always try to do my best. I always put Panama on a pedestal. I always try to bring joy to everyone and I’m sure it’s the same for all my teammateshe pointed out, adding that this Panamanian team plays with a lot of passion.
Many of us come from the streetswe come from humble backgrounds, which I remember very well. We trained in an empty space, and little by little, you develop. When you reach the elite level, you realize all the hard work you put insaid the Panama striker.
(Hina | Photo: X)
