The Olympiacos international Colombian midfielder Felipe Pardo is one of the players that has shone the most during his club's campaign this season with his quality and his goals; in his exclusive interview for the website of the Super League www.superleague.net he said that "we are a team thirsting for successes and distinctions," and at the same time pointed out that "Olympiacos always aims at the top." Pardo talked about his impressions from Greece and sent his message: "Greeks are always willing to offer things. The best proof for this is the people living in the islands that shelter the refugees and welcome them so warmly." The full interview:
After 17 matchdays, your team is at the top of the ranking with no points lost. What can the fans expect for the remaining of the campaign?
They can expect things to go even better. We are a team thirsting for successes and distinctions. The fact that we are always after new records proves what I am saying. We will not stop pressing ourselves in order to go even higher. We do not only want to conquer the top, but to do this in the most emphatic way. We place great importance to all the matches we play and this is the only way to achieve our goals this year. We may be several points clear at the top of the championship, but this does not mean anything. We have to continue pursuing our other goals with the same intensity.
Do you believe that winning the title, without losing any matches at all, is a feasible goal?
We do not like thinking like this. We have achieved an amazing feat so far. We are on a 17-game winning run without any defeats and we keep winning every match we play. It's not easy to win all 30 matches in the championship. Winning the championship undefeated is a whole other thing. But doing this with only victories is also a whole different thing! In any case, we will do our best.
Question by Iasonas Vassiliadis
What is your goal in the Europa League?
Olympiacos always aims at the top. We do not say that we will win the Europa League, but we do not already think about when our campaign in the competition will be completed. If you want to have a great team, then you must aim for the top. Anything else is just compromising and the team does not have this mentality. We will keep working and aiming at the top and we will go as far and high as we can.
Which young player from the academies is standing out in your opinion and why?
It would be unfair to just pick one. There is Tsimikas who is given many opportunities and looks promising that he can play top-tier football, however he is not the only one. Kids from the academy, who seem to be very promising, very often train with us. They just have to work very hard but it's another thing to be in the academies and another thing to be part of the first team.
Question by Yannis Fotiou
Which is the highlight of your football career and why?
It's my participation in the National Team of my country and the opportunity I was given to be part of such a wonderful thing. I hope that I will be able to live similar moments with Olympiacos as well as the National Team of my country in the future.
Question by Lefteris Diamantakos
What would you like to say to the fans and supporters of the club?
That they must remain equally "warm" and to continue supporting their team in such a special way. They are particularly "noisy" and we like this. Their voice gives us courage to play even better. We are happy to give them joy and to reasons to celebrate. We will do our best so they can always be proud!
What is your wish for the New Year for everyone?
Good health and smiles for everyone. We should enjoy what we have and think about giving to the less fortunate or even the destitute.
What are your impressions from living in Greece?
It's a very beautiful country. I like the life here; the people are particularly warm and it's hard to understand how much the crisis has had them suffering. This is happening because they keep their smile and also because they are always willing to offer things. The best proof for this is the people living in the islands that shelter the refugees and welcome them so warmly.
Question by Yorgos Papadakis
What did you ask from Santa Claus for the new year?
On a personal level I asked for health both me and my family. And of course for the whole world to have health. Health is a priceless gift.
What other sports are you following except football and why?
Several sports. No one in particular, I generally enjoy sports. They are a great thing and I am happy I can enjoy sports either by participating in them or by watching other athletes.
THE WINNER OF THE DRAW FOR THE SIGNED SOUVENIR BY FELIPE PARDO, OFFERED BY FC OLYMPIACOS, IS MR YORGOS PAPADAKIS.
