You made your debut against Barcelona as a starter, last February. Is Koeman's team less scary now?
(Laughs) Now I am more acclimatized. But I never like to talk about fear. These games are nice to play. It's nice to go to a field as mythical as Camp Nou and face Barça, also against Messi.
Don't you see your compatriot worse, for all that happened in the summer?
I never look at extra-sporting things. Lio is still the best in the world. At any moment a game changes because his quality, technique and ambition to win are always there. His lack of goal? Here he came last year and did not score goals, but gave all three assists. He is always involved in the goals of his team. You will have to mark him closely.
LaLiga Santander
* Data updated as of November 5, 2020
It was difficult for you to catch the rhythm but now you are surprising with your performance. What has changed from February to now?
I feel that what changed me the most was doing a preseason with the whole team. He came from being on vacation, and before a year without stopping playing on the Mexican and European calendars. When I arrived, Betis was in full competition. He never made it to court … They were a new League and new teammates. Being physically on a par with them now has been fundamental.
Do you feel the change with respect to Mexico?
Here all the players have a lot of technique. All teams have a minimum of two pieces that unbalance the game in one play. The game is faster, but also because of the good state of the courts and the individual technique that exists. There is a lot of precision and speed.
What about that '5' that came out of River Plate?
I have been evolving since I debuted. At first it was a 5 standing and balancing. It had less mark than I have now. I was gaining experience when it came to stealing balls. That's him 5 who leaves Argentina many times, the one who tries to steal the ball, play easy and give it to the top.
Any reference?
I looked at Mascherano a lot. When I played in River's inferiors, he was in First. I admired him as a player and as a person for what he reflects, as a captain and a locker room man.
Curious: Mascherano made his debut in River … Manuel Pellegrini.
They are the turns that football takes. You see something from the outside and at the same time you are in something like it. Manuel did not tell me to look like Mascherano, but he did tell me to do a similar role, to give balance to the team.
How has Pellegrini fallen at Betis?
Personally and as a group, I am getting comfortable with Manuel. It seems to me that little by little we are grasping your idea. You can always improve but we have only been working for a few months. You can already see great things that he wants.
In Mexico you are an idol. Are you still following America?
I can't watch the games because of the time difference, but I'm always on the lookout and see the recaps when I wake up. Also, I'm in contact with the guys at the club. There is always a lot of love for Mexico. I felt people's affection for me. That country treats you very well, the Mexican is like that.
And River?
I have very nice memories, I was there from the age of 7 to 20, doing a good part of my football career and even a student. The other day I had a talk with the school. River is an important part of my life.
He had Miguel Herrera as a coach at América. Do you see him ready for Europe?
Miguel showed in the clubs of Mexico and in the national team that he is a great coach and since he is doing very well there, he could come to Europe to coach. He will have had proposals, it is a matter of moments. In America it is fine and if it is not the one who won the most titles, it is tied.
And the Gallardo Doll?
Gallardo has been running River for a long time, he changed teams and he always did well. You can also direct in Europe. It is a matter of an offer that seduces him. He is very good at River and shows that he wants to continue, he changes players but maintains the team level higher than the rest.
How do you see Diego Lainez, with whom he met in América de México and now at Betis?
I see him much more mature than when I met him in America. He is very young, he has a lot of career ahead of him. It has many conditions. He chose to stay at Betis because he was happy, he is learning and going to the National Team. The Tata Martino is a great coach and can help you a lot. Every time he enters the field he shows that he can do it well.
Let's go back to Spain. What is it like to live with a footballer and character like Joaquín?
Joaqui is a person who brings great joy to the dressing room. He is the captain and the leader, whom we follow on the field. Saying “Joaquín” is saying “Betis”. I see him train and the Valencia game comes to mind, with that second goal in which he passes two or three rivals as if he were 20 years old. He can keep playing until he wants.
What do you expect from the Betis season?
We work to be at the top and fight for European rankings. There is competition and great teams, LaLiga is strange because a lot of people have gotten into important positions, but I am confident. It's a matter of working and knowing that everyone is fighting you.
And outside of football, do you have any hobbies?
I have always really liked tennis. I'm not going to watch it on TV but I really liked practicing. I played in an amateur school and they offered me to train in a more let's say professional team, but I chose soccer. I have played something in Seville, around there I use it as a regenerative.