Interview: David Depetris recalls the career and representation of Slovakia

He started in the Argentine club Ca San Jorge, his debut among adults he twisted in Atlético Rafael.

However, he started his career in Slovakia, where he became the best scorer in the AS Trenčín jersey. It was only half of the competition, after which he transferred to Turkish Rizespor.

David Depetris (36) has also played in Mexico (Monarcas Morelia), the Czech Republic (Sigma Olomouc), Italy (Savoia) or native Argentina (Huracan, Olimpo, Sarmieno Junin).

The world traveler ended his career in Považská Bystrica, before playing Spartak Trnava, Banská Bystrica or Podbrezová.

In over twenty years you have worked in a number of clubs. Was it difficult for you to quit?

It wasn’t easy to make decisions. I thought about the end longer, already at a time when I worked in Podbrezová or Banská Bystrica.

I have a family in Trenčín and I was more and more bothered that I am not with her. At the end of my career I also had a number of injuries, which took me on the joy of football.

The reward, a new energy in the form of a goal, has always come. So I wanted to play for a while, trying to get to AS Trenčín, where I started. However, I did not receive the offer, so I went to Považská Bystrica.

But the last six months I was worried, I was struggling with motivation. Finally, I decided it was my definite end.

Did you remember how you came to Slovakia in 2007?

When I think about it, it feels like a few months. But it’s been a lot of years.

It was December 2007, I was nineteen, but I played in the Argentine league for the third season. I was lucky to have become a professional as a 17-year-old.

I am grateful that I got a chance to get to Europe, specifically to Trenčín. Playing in Europe is the dream of most players from South America.

Another country, another world. Didn’t you worry before transfer?

I had some respect, but I wanted to play in Europe and fulfill my one of my three dreams. So I went for it.

What were the next one?

The first was to play professionally, which I managed as a 17-year-old. The second was the start in the highest Argentine league and then engagement in Europe. I fulfilled all three, just the third was rather than the second.

Did you know where Slovakia is at all?

I would lie if I said yes. He was already google, but I watched it on the map. And then I found out something about Trenčín.

When I came, it was hard. Winter, other culture, speech barrier, all wrong…

However, I have always been stubborn and went for my goal. That’s why I was able to adapt quickly.

I didn’t admit to disappoint. And if so, I could always return to Argentina.

Your first success was the procedure with AS Trenčín to the highest competition.

I scored 31 goals in the season, so I was happy. It is a pity that I was not in Trenčín when he won the titles. Nevertheless, I will never forget Trenčín. I still figure there as the best shooter in the history of the club, which is a great honor for me.

After the procedure, Trenčín finished fifth, you became the best scorer of the league in the 2012/13 season when you scored 16 goals. And you only played the autumn part.

I don’t know if someone has ever done it. It would be interesting to see how many goals I would have scored throughout the year.

At that time, however, there was an interesting offer from Turkish Rizespor, who wanted to return to the league. The coach was Mustafa Denizli, who was a close friend of Tayyip Erdogan.

In twelve matches I scored six goals and we advanced to the first league, which was great. In the highest competition, however, I played only half a year for which I scored one goal.

Coach Denizli ended before the season in the club, so I ended up on the team later.

Turkish fans are well -known fanatics. Has something bizarre happened to you?

It was common for our bus to surround our bus after the matches and we couldn’t even move. Then the coach had to get off, thank them and let us go.

You went to the Czech Sigma Olomouc and later to the Mexican club Monarcas Morelia.

It was one of the best times in my career. People know nothing about it in Slovakia, but the Mexican league is an extremely good competition. It is played by the best of those who don’t go to Europe. It can be compared to today’s MLS, where fantastic players also come.

In Mexico, I played several times against Ronaldinh, which was a great honor for me as a man who loves football.

What was he?

He was already 34, 35, so he wasn’t the fastest. However, he was exceptional with the ball, and it was a pleasure to watch it.

Like Lionel Messi in the US today, where everyone goes to watch him.

Meetings with Ronaldinh belong to the top 5 of my biggest football experiences.

What else?

Of course it is a national start for Slovakia, which was something special to me. Playing the national team at the highest level is honor, there is nothing more in the life of a football player.

It is also the first professional start in Tres Arroyos in the Atlética Rafaelo jersey, when we won a 3: 2 goal from the last minute.

I also like to remember the first professional goal, which I celebrated with my brother, he was doing balls. I remember hugging at that time, and our parents or relatives watched it on the stands.

It doesn’t even seem to me that it’s been so many years.

What about the other top moments?

I played with L

At that time there was a capacity of 100,000 viewers, now it was a little reduced for safety.

They are beautiful memories I will never forget. Thank you for a lot for football and I am proud to have fulfilled all three dreams.

In Argentina you worked in the clubs Huracan, Olimpo and Sarmeto Junin. What is the level of the highest Argentine competition opposite the Slovak?

I don’t think anyone would be angry when I say that the Argentine League is much higher quality. All you have to do is see what players go to the world clubs. And in what number for what money.

Argentina is a football country, world champions, so the local league is also good. I’m glad I was part of it.

It was said that you can save the national team, but you played only two matches for the representation of Slovakia. Wasn’t it disappointing for you?

I would lie if I said it didn’t bother me. Of course I wanted more.

On the other hand, I am glad that I got this chance, because playing for national colors is the most.

That I played less I take than reality. However, I think that at least the two matches I deserved for the performances in the clubs.

In 2013, you played on the ground of Gibraltar, where Slovakia only tied 0: 0. Then you introduced yourself at a 1: 1 draw with Romania.

It was a weak match with Gibraltar. There were many new players and it didn’t fit. Everyone said we were supposed to win, but this is also football. That it just doesn’t work sometimes.

As I say, a pity that I did not succeed in the national team, but again I am proud of what I achieved in football.

In 2019, after performing in South America, you returned to Trnava. Why Spartak?

Many people don’t know what a football player’s life is. I have two sons and I didn’t see how the younger was born. I only met him when he was four months old.

At that time I was alone for half a year and I missed my family extremely. That’s why I returned to Slovakia.

Family did not live with you in Argentina?

Yes, but when we waited a second baby, it was better for a woman to be here. To be with the family. That’s why we stayed in Slovakia where we are happy.

A rich career is behind you. If you were to choose one memorial match, which one would it be?

Hard to choose one. Always the first match is special. As I said, I like to remember the premiere in the second Argentine league, when I started at Tres Arroyos as a substitute player in the Atlético Rafaelo jersey and won a 3: 2 goal from the extra time.

Then I got a chance in the basic line -up and Almagro beat 4: 1, I scored two goals. I was only 17 years old and my parents and friends watched it on the grandstand, it was a big day for me.

I will never forget to advance with Trenčín and Rizespor. The work in Mexico was also unique, where I met great players. There were so many moments and I am very happy for them.

You played for a while in Serie D for the Italian club Savoia. Why such a low competition?

I jumped in Trenčín and came such an offer. It is the fourth league, but people in Slovakia would be wondering what quality competition it is. Savoia is at Naples and sometimes it was really wild.

It was a good experience for me, we took it with my family as a nice time by the sea.

You are a prototype of a football world traveler.

It is the case in football. I have never resisted the possibilities when she came. I was not afraid and quickly adapted to another life, culture. I am grateful for all the former clubs and towns.

You ended your career in Považská Bystrica. Did you realize in the match with Zlaté Moravce that it was perhaps your last goal?

I knew it could be one of the last. I wanted to add another one, but in the end it worked out that I scored the last professional goal against Zlaté Moravcia.

What will you do now? Are you considering coaching?

So far I keep it open. One option is to continue as a coach and offer people that I have learned in football for so many years.

And secondly, there is the idea of ​​combining Argentine and Slovak football.

What do you mean?

So far, only five, six players from Argentina have played in Slovakia and have always brought their quality. My goal is to bring here interesting players from Argentina, who would diversify and added value for our league.

Argentina has a rich football history and we know what big players it can produce. That’s why I think that players from Argentina would be a benefit for Slovakia.

I believe that I can help Slovak clubs to move in Europe. My goal is to help and open the door to Slovakia with such players. I think this is an interesting idea that I want to catch.

Would you like to say something at the end?

I thank my parents and brothers who always supported me in football. Even though I was far from them, we were always in touch and kept my fingers crossed.

I also thank my wife and family for always recharging me with energy.