Caval: I Want to Become an Important Player for Juventus

Juventus' new signing, Caval, attended his unveiling press conference, where he spoke about his dreams regarding Juventus and his feelings after joining the club.



It's been three weeks. How do you feel about training with Thiago Motta every day?
I'm very happy to be part of this team. For me, it has always been a dream to come to one of the strongest teams in Italy and the world. From this week onwards, I've been working hard to achieve my dream. My dream is not just to play for Juventus for one year; I want to become an important player like Chiellini, Bonucci, and Cannavaro. I want to be a key player for Juventus.

What do you think you can bring to Juventus?
I want to bring my talent to Juventus, and I also want to bring my charisma, both on and off the pitch. I will do my best, not only as a player but also as a person. I will give my all and follow the coach's instructions, striving to improve in every aspect.

What kind of player are you? Do you have any former Juventus players you look up to as role models?
If I had to describe myself in one word, it would be resilient. I've worked hard to achieve this dream. Many people might have noticed that I wore a Juventus jersey as a child, and since then, I've been pursuing my dream of joining Juventus. After coming to Italy, I felt closer to this dream. Thanks to God, I've finally arrived here. I have several role models, like Cuadrado, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Alex Sandro, but many other players have also played for this club. I want to be one of those who leave a mark in history; I want to make history.

You were close to joining Inter Milan, but when you heard about Juventus' interest, how did you make your decision?
It was a decision related to my dream and also involved my family and the club. I didn't want to go to another club. I don't want to talk about this now; I know Inter is also an important club, but my dream was to come here and fight for this jersey.

Have you heard anything from Cuadrado? Have other Colombian players in Serie A inspired you?
A few Colombian players have inspired me because I had the chance to watch their games and even play alongside them. I know them, and they helped me grow. For example, Duván Zapata helped me a lot in my development. Yes, I spoke with Cuadrado, and we exchanged a few words. He told me I made the right decision because no other team is like this one.

What has Thiago Motta said to you? What impression has he left on you?
He told me to enjoy everything, be myself, and strive to become a better player because sometimes talent alone is not enough; you must work hard every day, and there's always something new to learn. He's a good person and was an excellent player, which will help me understand more.

Growing up, who was your favorite player? Which position do you prefer to play? What impression has Thiago Motta's modern football left on you?  
As a child, I liked Marcelo, the left-back from Brazil, but I also watched many players and collected information about them because it's important to see great players and try to replicate their performances. What I like most about Thiago Motta is the trust he gives you because feeling trusted, opening up, and being yourself is very important. So far, I've felt his trust in these two friendly matches, and I think I'll continue to feel it. I want to show this trust in these two games.

Since signing with Juventus, how has your level of understanding improved? 
Yes, perhaps I already had confidence when I was at Verona. Believing in yourself is important because if you don't believe in yourself, how can others believe in you? You have to believe that everything will go well. Of course, I've grown a lot, and the road to playing in Italy has not been smooth. But I'm used to it now; I have enough understanding of Italian football, and I can showcase my talents on the pitch. I want to play for Juventus.

How did you feel when you played at Allianz Stadium in Turin?  
When I entered the locker room, I still felt a bit strange. I was amazed when I saw these outstanding players. I'm very happy with everything I've seen, and the fans and the club have been very welcoming. I want to repay everything I've received in these first few weeks.

From a human perspective, what qualities does a 23-year-old player need to avoid getting dizzy from such achievements?
It's more of a mental thing. On the football field, you'll encounter things you like and things you don't, but you have to be mentally strong and grow as a person and a player. In today's football world, you need to be very strong and steady.

Is joining Juventus a significant turning point for you in 2024?
Joining Juventus has been a wonderful thing in my career; it's the best thing that's happened in my career. I don't even have the right words to describe what's happened to me. All I can say is, "Wow, I'm here." Sometimes I can't help but cry; when they called to confirm, I couldn't help but cry. I couldn't even sleep; I just wanted to pack my bags and come here immediately. It's not just my joy; it's the joy of my whole family, my partner, and everyone who's been with me as I grew up. I'm a simple person, and I hope to keep it that way.

Who do you see as the leader in the Juventus locker room?
In the locker room, I think it's obvious who the leader is, especially the captain. But in reality, we're all leaders, especially on the field, because we're all working toward the same goal. I don't think I need to carve out a space for myself because our goals are aligned, and we're all working hard. We're all leaders in the same way.

What do people say to you in Colombia?
Everyone wants me to send them my jersey; everyone's very happy. There's a lot of energy here, and everyone has made me feel like part of the team right away. That's important. I'm very happy, and that's important too.