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'Both Mexican strikers, but completely different' - Stephano Carrillo dismisses comparisons with Santiago Giménez at Feyenoord

Eredivisie

AZ Alkmaar

Feyenoord

Santiago Giménez paved the way for Stephano Carrillo to sign with Feyenoord. Although the 19-year-old striker has only played two matches in the Eredivisie so far, he acknowledges that the club’s fans have high expectations due to Giménez’s outstanding performances, which helped Feyenoord win a league title."They welcomed me very well, both the team and the fans in general", Carrillo said to Claro Sports. "They expect a lot from me because of Santi, who set the bar very high at the club. He opened many doors for me, from confidence to opportunity, and I will be eternally grateful to him. But one is one, and the other is the other. We are two different stories. We are both Mexican strikers, but completely different".The former Santos Laguna player spoke about his good relationship with his teammates despite being one of the newest in the squad:"Igor Paixão welcomed me very well; he's one of the teammates I get along with best. He already gave me an assist, though it was disallowed, but he still gave me one. There’s something there that we can probably work on and maximize to perform well together," he said.

WHAT HAPPENED?

When Giménez left for AC Milan in the winter, Feyenoord fans saw Carrillo as the ideal replacement for the striker who scored 45 goals and provided 10 assists in 73 matches, playing a key role in the club’s 11th Eredivisie title. However, reality has been different.At 21 years old, Giménez arrived at Feyenoord with 105 matches of experience at Cruz Azul. In contrast, Carrillo, while not yet the player fans hoped would fill Giménez’s shoes, is forging his own path in European football. Before moving to the Eredivisie, he had played just 18 matches in Liga MX, scoring one goal.As a result, their paths with the Mexican national team have also been very different. While Giménez has played 32 matches for El Tri, Carrillo has yet to receive a call-up to the senior squad. He has played eight matches with the U20 team and previously featured in 33 games for the U17, where he scored 26 goals.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Carrillo is in his first season with Feyenoord, fighting to earn the trust of Robin van Persie, who took over from Brian Priske a few months ago. The young striker is aware of his youth and knows he must take his career step by step:"Establishing myself in Feyenoord’s first team, I believe - and I’ve already confirmed - is not easy. From the moment I arrived, I knew it would be tough, but I trust my abilities. I’m the kind of person who, when taking on a challenge or setting a goal, won’t rest until I achieve it."I’m the youngest in my position, but that doesn’t stop me from earning a place. I will work to the maximum to achieve it and fulfill my dreams, which obviously include scoring goals, winning championships, and becoming a key player for the team."

WHAT STEPHANO CARRILLO SAID

A total of 13 Mexicans have played in the Eredivisie, with Joaquín del Olmo being the first to pave the way in the 1996-97 season. Later, historic players like Carlos Salcido, Andrés Guardado, Héctor Moreno, and Hirving Lozano followed.In the last 18 seasons, the Dutch top division has had Mexican representation in 17 campaigns.

DID YOU KNOW?

'Both Mexican strikers, but completely different' - Stephano Carrillo dismisses comparisons with Santiago Giménez at Feyenoord | Goal.com

The 19-year-old has only played two matches with the first team in the Eredivisie, says he&apos;s not Giménez

&apos;Both Mexican strikers, but completely different&apos; - Stephano Carrillo dismisses comparisons with Santiago Giménez at Feyenoord

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