Peruvian defense Alexander Callens talked about his adaptation to his new team, Major League Soccer's New York City FC.
In this sense, the 24-year-old stressed current training sessions along with outstanding players, such as Italy's Andrea Pirlo and Spain's David Villa, whose companionship he deemed a "dream come true."
In an interview with NYCFC, the sportsman also recalled his humbling beginnings in Peru's port city of Callao.
"It was like I was born [loving soccer]. If I saw a ball, I wanted to kick it […]," he said.
The athlete also noted he had initially served as forward. "As the years went on, playing defense interested me more. I liked it because I liked starting the play."
Within this framework, a coach put him as left center back.
According to Callens, "everyone was surprised at how I played, how I defended [and] how I came out playing from the back."
He was later called up to Peru's [U15] national squad. To date, he has defended the national team 10 times.
NYCFC
"I was in preseason [with Spain's Numancia]. I was playing well. Then out of nowhere, my agent told me that NYCFC wanted me," he said.
Callens acknowledged he was surprised to hear that world stars David Villa and Andrea Pirlo were playing at the club.
Concerning training sessions with them, he said "it was like I was dreaming, like I was in a commercial where all the star players come out."
"I was happy because to give Pirlo a pass is like a dream come true. From seeing him on TV, to now sharing a locker room with him, to be able to receive tips and learn from him is great," the athlete pointed out.
"Same thing with David. He is a very good forward who puts them all away. I feel very good to be able to give him a pass or assist," he added.
The Peruvian player also praised team's coach French Patrick Vieira. "I like him [Patrick] a lot because he likes details. He likes perfection [...], and he wants perfection from everyone."
"I think I'm going to learn a lot from him and take away a lot from him."
"I'm going to work at 100%, so they can be happy and, God willing, we'll win a title together," he concluded.