Valentin Barco is the next Chelsea player to tell us about his earliest experiences of the game, with our summer signing growing up in a football-mad country.
Barco is currently away representing Argentina during this prolonged international break, which followed his full Premier League debut in our fixture at Brentford. Before he departed, we caught up with Valentin to find out some of his firsts in football…
What was the first football match you went to?
It would have been a Boca Juniors game at La Bombonera in Buenos Aires, but I honestly can’t remember which!
What were your first football boots?
I don’t know who made them but I remember the colour, they were definitely black.
What was the first kit you owned?
A Boca Juniors kit for sure.
Who were your first team?
Sportivo Las Parejas.
Who was your first coach?
Lucas Serna.
What’s the first piece of advice you remember?
Just to look forward and to work hard every day.
Who was your first friend in football?
Agustin Giay. He plays for Palmeiras in Brazil now.
Who was the first team-mate you roomed with?
Agustin too, when we played for Argentina youth teams together.
Who was your first team debut against?
It was for Boca in an away game against Union Santa Fe. We drew 1-1. I was 16 years old.
Who was the first goal you scored against?
It was against Monagas from Venezuela in the Copa Libertadores. It was a nice goal actually!
Your first emotion after signing for Chelsea…
Such a big, huge emotion. A proud feeling.