Juventus forward Paulo Dybala still wants to improve, and uses Gigi Buffon as his inspiration - “he’s 38 and gets better every day”.
The 22-year-old joined the Bianconeri from Palermo this summer, and has enjoyed a stellar debut season, scoring 19 goals and providing nine assists.
“What do I see when I look in the mirror?” Dybala considered, speaking to El Pais.
“I see a guy who, even though he’s young and is at a big club, wants to improve and become a top player. It’s like a cat who sees himself as a tiger, I try to have confidence in myself.
“When I go onto the pitch I transform. I like to make jokes and mess about with friends off it. They tell me I have a baby face, but inside I feel like a 30-year-old player.
“Being at Juventus I’m far from a leader, when you look at all the good players here. Gigi is a leader.
“The first few times I met him it really struck me, he transmits just how much he wants to win and grow. He’s 38 and gets better every day.
“It’s easier to win with him, because he creates this huge inner strength.
“What have I learned at Juve? The desire to win every day. There are players here who have won everything, they could relax but they still fight to keep winning.
“To see that as a lad of 22 is fundamental.”
Dybala arrived in Europe from Instituto at the age of just 18, and names former Palermo Coach Gennaro Gattuso as one of those who helped him adapt.
“Being muscled by opponents is what was more difficult for me, I had to work hard in the gym, also to avoid kicks and blows. I wasn’t used to it.
“Did Gattuso help? He helped a lot, because he was the one kicking me!
“He gave me advice on how to avoid them and how to position myself. He gave me kicks in training to teach me how to defend myself.”
Finally, the striker was asked about the source of his mature attitude.
“In my house, it was always said that the main thing was to finish school, and I did that,” Dybala explained.
“Then there was the blow I suffered when I was 15 and my father died. I grew up a lot. I lived away, so as I didn’t have my mum to make breakfast for me I learned to make my own food. I had no choice but to change my mentality.
“Travelling to Europe when I was 18 was also a big change. That’s what I saw when I looked at my teammates who were my age.
“I matured faster than them, because I had to do other things: organise travel, go to the bank. That helps you to mature and be careful, because you’re dependent on yourself.
“In addition, there are a lot of children who look up to me, who want to be like me, so you have an image to maintain, to be humble and help people.
“You can never make a mistake. It’s ok, but sometimes I want to be like my friends and have no worries.”
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