Allende, belief beyond his years - FIFA U-17 WORLD CUP
 |
| FIFA.com |
Responsibility came early to Chile’s Marcelo Allende, who also learned how to shoulder it and still stay calm. It has proved to be an important asset for this 16-year-old who, in a matter of months, has gone from being out of the national U-17 set-up to becoming captain and leader as they gear up for the imminent FIFA U-17 World Cup 2015 on home soil.
"What I went through didn’t faze me – I dealt with it calmly,” the impish holding midfielder told FIFA.com. “My coaches tell me I have what it takes, and I appreciate the confidence they and my team-mates have in me. However, I know my place and don’t have an inflated opinion of myself. Here, it’s all about the team, not the individual,” he said with conviction.
Allende was absent from the squad that finished last in the South American U-17 Championship in March. Indeed he was getting ready to contest the Dream Cup in Japan in July with an U-15/16 combination team, when his coach Hernan Caputo recommended him to his U-17 counterpart Miguel Ponce.
“The first thing that struck us was how naturally talented he was in his position,” Ponce told FIFA.com. “As well as being skilled, he understands and reads the game well. On top of that, he has the tactical discipline to press opponents and track back when needed, without losing the element of surprise when joining the attack. All that hard work is vital for the side to function,” his coach added.
Allende plays his club football in the youth teams of Cobreloa, the same club that nurtured Alexis Sanchez and Eduardo Vargas, two of the biggest names in the country’s senior team. Reluctant to be drawn into comparisons, Allende prefers to analyse his own game when asked about his playing strengths.
"I’m a fast thinker and always try to have the play mapped out before I get the ball – then just take a touch. I also like splitting the lines with a pass... that gives me as much pleasure as a goal,” said this huge admirer of compatriot Jorge Valdivia and Argentina’s Lionel Messi.
A captain’s counsel
Allende’s call-up to the U-17 squad also entailed a change of travel plans. Instead of heading to the Far East, the teenager jetted off to England and South Africa for a series of preparatory friendlies. It was during said tour that, thanks to Ponce’s policy of rotating the captaincy, the responsibility fell to the midfielder for the first time. “On the pitch he plays a big part in every sense, while off of it he’s someone who relates to everyone in the group and strengthens the personal relationships. So he brings positive leadership,” said Ponce on the decision to hand Allende the armband.
Despite being the second youngest member of the squad, Allende is very much at ease talking about the subject of leadership. “Away from the pitch I can be less forthcoming - sometimes opting not to give a pre-match speech to my team-mates. However once I’m out there I’m transformed, giving instructions, shouting, yelling for the ball… I like to think I can resolve things for my team-mates.”
With a frankness befitting his age, the youngster admitted there is bound to be some nerves and anxiety when his side make their tournament debut against Croatia this Saturday at the emblematic Estadio Nacional in Santiago. He was then quick to clarify that preparation was the key, saying, “The work we’ve put in up until this point is what reassures us. That’s crucial in making sure we’re not hampered by nerves.”
At the same time, the captain admitted that being hosts brings its own pressure: “That’s the reality, especially given what the senior team achieved at the Copa America [here] and subsequently. But there are also advantages to playing at home, which we witnessed [last week] when we all went to watch Chile host Brazil in the Russia 2018 qualifiers. The national anthem, the roars when you prepare to do battle, the cheering… it generates positive energy.”
Asked about the team’s specific objectives for the World Cup, Allende once again showed his mettle. “Judging by our recent friendlies, I’d say we’ll be competitive. I think we should be getting past the group phase even though we find ourselves in a difficult section. That said, we’ve spoken a lot among ourselves about not conforming to expectations, which is why I’ll only be satisfied if we reach the final,” he concluded.