Franco Russo (Buenos Aires, 1994) was one of the clear protagonists in the last victory of the RCD Mallorca. His goal against him Atlético de Madrid, the one that put the marker in a level 1-1, would have the way towards the traced back of the vermilion. The Argentine central defender has perfectly assumed his role to replace Antonio Raíllo, making a perfect pair with Martin Valjent. In its premiere in the First Division, Russo It has gone from less to more, earning the trust of Luis García Plaza and being a fundamental piece. Now, in addition, you know what it is to score in the elite.
Q: Let’s start with the recent. Victory in the Wanda Metropolitano against Atlético de Madrid, with a comeback and with your goal. Soccer owed you such a night, right?
A: That’s right, the prize for the team is the most important thing, beyond my goal. We deserved it for the streak we had. We needed a shot of energy like beating a team like Atlético de Madrid. It is a joy that still lasts for us, but we are already thinking about the game against Celta.
Q: You made your debut as a scorer in the First Division and as a Mallorca player. There was also special dedication, what can you tell about all that euphoria?
A: The truth is that after the goal everything clouded a bit. When you see the ball go in, you don’t believe it and you start running. During the celebration, several people came to mind: my wife, my grandmother, it was just my grandfather’s birthday and I told him that I would dedicate a goal to him, etc. You don’t even know what to do. A friend who died a few months ago in a motorcycle accident in Ponferrada also came to mind. It was all very exciting.
Q: Franco Russo’s story has not been easy. Not long ago Mallorca published an interview of you explaining your situation when you arrived in Spain: promises that were not kept, go shopping with the calculator. Now you are a scorer in the elite.
A: I still can’t believe it. You look back and it is not to believe it. At the time I said: they are dreams that you want to fulfill and as you fulfill them you do not see them. Over the years I will realize everything I experienced the other day and the path made. In the end you go up steps. You make your debut in the Second Division; then in First. I think it has helped me a lot to go little by little, step by step, to be calm. I was down and the best thing is to keep my feet on the ground.
Q: The footballers, when they go up those steps that you mention, end up wondering if they will reach First and if they will give the level. In your case, how are you feeling being already a regular in the Luis García Plaza line-ups?
A: I have been playing a lot of games, but I still have a lot to learn. I want to keep improving on the field. In the end, the forwards are demanding more and more effort from you. I always believed in myself and that I could achieve it with work, experience, not lowering my arms.
Q: You speak of demand on the part of the forwards. To date, Mallorca has already played against Valencia, Madrid, Sevilla or Atlético de Madrid. All these teams have players of a very high level, which force you to give one more bonus. What is it like to see them in front?
A: To tell you the truth, facing those players is extra motivation. The other day it was Luis Suárez and Griezmann; against Sevilla were Ocampos, Lamela and Rafa Mir. In the end, as I say, it is a plus to be able to face them to see if you are up to the task.
Q: How did you live last season with, above all, the promotion to First?
A: It was crazy. Very different from the first, because I think that 3-0 in the second leg of a play-off is difficult to repeat. The latter was very beautiful, more intimate. We were in Tenerife, just the team. Then arriving in Mallorca to celebrate it with the people … It was something very beautiful. A little strange due to the lack of public, but unforgettable.
Q: I understand that now, again with fans in the stands, football is back to what it was. A feeling that the footballer missed a lot.
A: The pandemic confirmed that soccer belongs to the people and that the people are soccer. The sensations that one always wants to experience since childhood is being able to feel the fans filling the stadiums, both as a local and as a visitor.
Q: Going back to the present. Mallorca had before the victory at Wanda a total of seven games without winning. Luis García Plaza acknowledged a talk prior to the game against Atlético de Madrid. He has always supported you, he has never doubted the group. How do you experience that streak of not winning in a dressing room and seeing how points escape in the final minutes?
A: Luis’s talk was before the game, and there are things that should be left in the locker room. In short, he told us that we should believe in ourselves, as a team and as players. We had lost a bit of confidence because of those goals conceded in the last minutes, so the coach’s speech was a shot of energy and then we showed it on the field.
Q: I understand that I am happy with Luis García Plaza, who fully trusts you to make a great pair with Martin Valjent in the center of the rear.
A: Very happy with the opportunities. I knew it would be difficult to compete with Valjent and Raíllo, who have been playing together for many years. I know that the coach trusts me and I am returning that trust to him. What helps a player to grow is being able to play games in a row and Luis is giving me that opportunity.
Q: This Friday you host Celta de Vigo at Son Moix, is it more important to beat the Galicians than to have beaten Atlético de Madrid or is it a bit on par?
A: If you had asked me this before Saturday’s game, I would clearly tell you that our important match is Celta. The other day was a huge prize, something that was very difficult to achieve. That is a game that has already happened and our game, without a doubt, is on Friday. Celta is a more direct rival and we must try to add the three points in front of our people to be stronger.
Q: It is inevitable to ask about Take Kubo and Kang-In Lee. Two more than important players in Mallorca. How do you see them on a day-to-day basis? What opinion do you have of both?
A: I have never seen them before, but I was very surprised by the quality of both. They fly low, as I always tell them. They are very fast, they have a lot of quality, a great hit. They are both insane. Take came back from injury and did it with a goal. Very happy for him and for Kang-In, who is having regularity and being a fundamental piece for the team. Hopefully we can see them playing together because they contribute a lot.
Q: Do you have any promises in case Mallorca achieves permanence or is it still a bit early?
A: The truth is that I have no idea. I really want to get the permanence, but I have to think about that promise. I will tell you about it in another interview.