Santiago Giménez's Father Opens Up: "When FC Porto Comes Calling..."

The courtship between FC Porto and Santiago Giménez is still very much alive, at least according to the striker's father, who, speaking on FOX Sports, discussed the Dragons' interest in the Mexican international currently with AC Milan.

"Santi is doing well. Negotiations are ongoing; FC Porto made an initial offer, which Milan did not accept. Talks are continuing," stated Christian Giménez, better known as 'Chaco'. He added, "It's a great team with a history of Mexican players."

"I feel like everything is a big opportunity... It's a significant chance that comes at a less-than-ideal time, after the year he's had with injuries. Many talk about Santi's statistics, but they don't mention he was injured for seven months... That's another aspect that can't be hidden. But the reality is that for a team like FC Porto to come looking for you at such a complex moment is very positive. That's what I tell him: it's because you did something good," affirmed Santiago's father, recalling the 25-year-old striker's European football history.

"I tell him: 'This year was complicated, yes, but you've been in Europe for four years now. In the previous three years, you did something well for a team like FC Porto to trust you and come after you...' We need to analyze what went well and what went wrong this year, but life goes on, and we, who play football, who know how it is, understand that a footballer's career can be up today and down tomorrow. A player constantly seeks balance, but sometimes it's not possible. And this could be what he needs to rise again. The most important thing is for him to be physically well, and it gives me peace of mind to know he hasn't lost his hunger and always wants more. And if he has to play for any team to succeed, so be it. There's no problem in that regard," he added.

Following a season where he scored only one goal in 18 appearances for Milan, Santiago Giménez is now looking to regain momentum. "Things happen in a player's journey. It wasn't what he expected. It hurts, of course. We have photos of him in a Milan jersey as a child... But unpleasant things happened on the sporting front. He already had a problem, but he was a starter and didn't want to leave the team; he was Milan's number 9. And the injury worsened... It was his commitment to his dream team. But when something like that happens, you don't get the continuity you wanted, and they end up signing a striker for 70 million euros... it's tough," concluded Chaco Giménez, alluding to Gonçalo Ramos's arrival at San Siro.

It's worth remembering that, as A BOLA reported on Tuesday, after Milan rejected FC Porto's loan offer with a purchase option (15 million euros), the blue and whites began to turn their attention to other targets. However, a potential change in the Rossoneri's stance could keep the Giménez dossier alive...