‘There are 6,000 people in my village in Argentina – they will ALL be Celtic fans now’ says Alexandro Bernabei
ALEXANDRO BERNABEI is in Paradise now.
But he’ll never forget where he’s from — the humble village of Correa in the Santa Fe province of Argentina.
It’s almost 7,000 miles away from his new life in Glasgow.
But with a proud smile, Celtic’s new £3.75million capture insists its entire population is now a giant new Hoops supporters’ club.
Quizzed about the neighbours now making the Scottish champions their favourite team, the 21-year-old chuckled: “Yes, all 6,000 people in the village are now Celtic fans!”
The move is the second huge step Bernabei has taken, after leaving his hometown on the outskirts of Rosario as a kid to join Buenos Aries-based Primera Division side Lanus.
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He said: “I grew up in a small village in the province of Santa Fe. The name is Correa.
“There wasn’t a lot of opportunity, especially because we didn’t really leave the village.
“But then I moved to Lanus and that’s when I had my chance to play.
“It really makes the people proud when one of us has success, especially my family. What I do makes them proud and that’s important to me.
“My grandfather used to take me to football from three years old because I was very energetic. I would not sleep well at night.
“But I don’t really have a team I support. I never really had a hero growing up but then when I started watching football, I really wanted to be like Marcelo of Real Madrid.
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“Of course, I would like to join the attack but also be defensive because that is also needed.”
A past interview emerged last week revealing a childhood rooted in poverty, with Bernabei raised by his grandparents until he was 11.
He says his grandfather is his biggest influence and, speaking at Parkhead after penning his five-year deal with the Premiership champs, he shed further light on his upbringing.
Bernabei said: “My father is not an example for me. But I want to be the example for my children.
“My grandfather is my No 1 fan. He still can’t believe it.”
Bernabei has represented Argentina at Under-23 level and hopes dazzling in Scottish football and in the Champions League can catch the eye of national team boss Lionel Scaloni.
Rangers previously had compatriots Gabriel Amato and Claudio Caniggia, who both won the fans’ hearts.
Now Bernabei’s desperate to do the same at Celtic — and fuel his international hopes.
Bernabei added: “I hope this will allow me one day to make another one of my dreams come true and play for the national team.
“First of all, we’ve a month of pre-season. Physically I’ll be OK. Nothing really intimidates me about the game.
“I spoke to the manager and he said, ‘Welcome, I hope your team-mates make you feel comfortable’.
“I am grateful to him and the club. Because it is a huge club, it opens the door to other players from other nationalities to come here and play.
“My ambition is to play in Europe. I won’t set a limit on that.
“I think Celtic is a champion. It’s a club that is used to championships and that’s the main reason why I’ve come here.”
Asked if he’s attracted by the all-action, fast-paced football demanded by Ange Postecoglou and which carried Celtic to league and Premier Sports Cup triumphs, Bernabei said: “I like and I also do well in that style, so I’m going to learn a lot and grow as a player.
“I feel proud to be playing in Europe because it was one of my dreams.
“And I’m excited to train and play with my new team-mates.
“The stadium is just incredible. The people, the club, my team-mates and the coaching staff are all incredible.
“It is my first time to be in Scotland or Glasgow. I saw the city on the internet and it looks very beautiful and nice.
“So I’m excited to be able to get to know the city soon.
“I am very excited and happy. I can’t wait to be playing in the Champions League — and I’ve heard that the people are crazy.”
Bernabei joins keeper Benji Siegrist and stopper Cameron Carter-Vickers — his loan spell from Spurs now a permanent £6m switch — as boss Postecoglou’s close-season signings.
Daizen Maeda’s move from Yokohama Marinos has also formally been made permanent after it was announced in January.
Celtic’s transfer operations are expected to continue swiftly with confirmation of Jota’s long-awaited £6.4m move from Benfica after, like Carter-Vickers, a loan spell.
The winger is now back in Glasgow to sign a four-year deal after protracted negotiations with the Portuguese giants and his representatives.
Jota’s first choice all along was to stay with Celtic and he waited patiently for details to be completed.
Now his confirmation as a long-term Celt will be another huge pre-season boost for the supporters.
Bernabei will provide strong competition for Scotland star Greg Taylor at left-back.
And he’s clear about his targets for the 2022-23 season, with Celtic already guaranteed to be competing with Europe’s elite in the Champions League groups.
The South American prospect said: “I think one of our objectives is to be champions — and we will achieve big things as a club.
“But I’m excited to be playing in the Champions League.
“I would like to achieve the objectives of the club this year.”
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Having done his homework, Bernabei is well aware of his new club’s rivalry with Rangers.
Celtic’s first-ever Argentinian player said: “I have heard of these matches and I know they’ll be very difficult — but so will every single game in the league.”
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