At the age of 23, Sergino Dest has already experienced the highs and lows of football. At the time, he was flying at PSV before an ACL injury brought him back down to earth.
“Unfortunately, my life path took a different direction than it should have,” he says Sky Sports. But Dest’s message is that the journey is not over. The talent remains and when he returns to full fitness, the ambitions for the future are still high.
With the World Cup on the horizon, it’s going to be special in Eindhoven as they look to retain the Eredivisie title that Dest helped win last season :
Dest made the big move from Ajax to Barcelona when he was still a teenager
“Obviously, PSV is a great club, but I have a lot of ambition and I know what I can do. I feel that my level should be in the top five, so I’m working hard for that I want to go back to these beautiful places.”
Meanwhile, he works his way back and is busy. “Always busy, man.” He is talking Sky Sports has just opened a soccer field in his hometown of Almere, outside Amsterdam.His success is an inspiration to the kids there.
“I’ve been thinking about this for years, but I think this is the right time for me to do it. It’s amazing to put my own name in the world. And the kids here love it It’s a big thing and I’m proud of it.”
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Dest opened a soccer court in his hometown of Almere
It is a spectacular sight in Almere. “It’s something new here, and I want to encourage them to go outside and play.” It’s not that long ago that Dest was mastering his skills.“Yeah, not that long ago,” he agrees : “But also a long time ago.”
Here’s that sense of career in flux.The skills that lit up street games in Almere took him to El Clasico and the World Cup in Qatar after his much-discussed decision to represent the United States instead of the Netherlands.
Against the Netherlands in the World Cup against the USA
Only now, given his injury, is he coming to terms with all he’s won and all he’s lost. Dest achieved the dream ridiculously early. Plucked from Erik Ten Hag’s Ajax, he found himself in Barcelona’s first team alongside Lionel Messi as a teenager.
Now he is adjusting to life in the Eredivisie, at a time when his career was expected to take off. He wants to go again, says he wants to not waste time because he can still improve. memories of remain within him.
In retrospect, it influenced his loan move to AC Milan.
“Milan” was a big mistake for me. Obviously, it’s a nice club, but I wasn’t ready to go there at the time. My heart was still in Barcelona and I couldn’t really focus on the next thing , that’s why it went the way it did.”
Dest made just 14 appearances for Milan that season after two years at Barca. “Everything happened very quickly, but I enjoyed every minute of it. Going into the dressing room, playing against Real Madrid, winning the Cup “.
He will still play against Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior in El Clasico
Lessons from Messi
He can always say that he played with Messi in the last season at Barcelona. “I didn’t really think about it at the time, but it’s crazy when you think about it.” was
“Watching them in practice and games, you try to improve your game by learning what makes them so good. “A lot of the time it’s delayed have to run or pass, but it’s different. They see the bigger picture.”
He explains. “Sometimes if you delay the game, it looks like you’re going to pass it, but at the last second you change your mind, adjust your body and pass it to the other player with one touch. It’s unpredictable for the opponent and it’s so difficult protect yourself.”
Dest and Lionel Messi celebrate a goal together in “Barcelona”.
More than a fullback
Dest has some very special skills of his own. Gary Neville once said that no one grows up dreaming of being a winger, but Dest is no ordinary winger tricks.
“Look, even with all these wing players, I can still make highlights, and I’m a winger. And I enjoy it,” he says.
World Cup for the United States against England in Qatar
“You can make every position yours. I play it with charm. Obviously, I can be better at some things I feel like I want to. the way i do it is about being subtle but also functional.
“You see, it’s not that hard for me to get around a man. I think these tricks that people say are too much are good because they’re actually functional. If you can create when the game is closed, your dribble can create a two-on-one.”
A push in PSV
PSV head coach Peter Bos understands this. “He just loves me as a player. He’s patient and trusts me. That’s the best thing he can do I have. And he pushes me to the limits.”
Those Almere kids were shocked when he decided to join PSV. “They couldn’t believe it.” But Ajax were in no shape for him to come back. I need something stable and calm,” he explains.
However, there are fond memories of the famous old club and words of support for Ten Heg, particularly his management skills when he gave Dest time off to decide his international future. “I thought he was a really good coach is”.
Dest began his journey at Ajax under then coach Erik ten Haag
Dest settled in the United States, where his father was born, and remains fully convinced that it was the best choice of my life. I have had so many beautiful experiences I feel important there.”
It’s a recurring topic of conversation. After the ups and downs, there is a need for appreciation. “PSV were there at a difficult time. They still had faith and believed in me, so that was important and I’m really grateful for that,” he says.
“Mentally it was difficult because you don’t want to go back to the Eredivisie. My mindset was I’m going to kill it and get back up. Unfortunately, it was the sun before the injury.
“I’m having a great season, I didn’t even get to play the last game where we won. It’s been a lot of hours in the gym since then. It takes time, but that’s good is going on.
“Maybe it’s good for me to be a little more stable because I’ve been moving to another club every year. But I also want to get the most out of my career.” He’s just getting started.
“I’m glad I made a lot of mistakes in the future. It’s just an experience. I can’t change it.” at this point and I know I’m going to be back.
