Chile’s two-most capped players sat side by side and talked about the national team, the progress it had made over the past few years and, occasionally, about Germany, their opponents in tomorrow’s Confederations Cup final in St Petersburg.
Enjoy this generation of players, forward Alexis Sanchez said. “We are here to make history.”
Chile still have to learn to overcome an element of fear after being overshadowed for so long by South American giants Brazil and Argentina, keeper and captain Claudio Bravo suggested.
“When we were younger and Alexis said he wanted to be the best in the world, or I said I wanted to win a title with the team, many laughed and said that it was impossible. But here we are sitting again before a final,” Bravo said.
It was a good-natured press conference at the team’s hotel held entirely in Spanish, ending with Sanchez taking selfies with journalists before leaving.
The serious business lies ahead: Chile now have the opportunity to add a third major title in as many years after winning the Copa America for the first time in 2015 and 2016.
“Forty or 50 years ago Chile did not win anything. It was not even qualified for the World Cup, so enjoy this generation,” Sanchez said.
“I have spent many years in this and it costs (a lot) to be among the best,” he added.
“There are days I get up and I do not feel like playing, I did not sleep well, but I have a coffee and head forward.”
Sanchez described how he would get up and go the gym first thing in the morning, but “the other day I got up and all the mates were already in the gym. I was proud of the professionalism of this team,” he said.
Watching a video of the semi-final game against Portugal also made him feel proud. “So enjoy this generation, enjoy Claudio, enjoy me, enjoy Arturo (Vidal),” he said.
Sanchez and Bravo have now 114 international appearances each, level as the nation’s most capped players, while Sanchez at the tournament has become his country’s all-time leading international scorer with 38 goals.
At 28, he is becoming a player younger team-mates look to for advice.
The Arsenal forward, it seems, also does not mind taking advice from 34-year-old Bravo, the team’s oldest player.
“Claudio told me: enjoy the football, the finals, the matches. I said, I would like to, but it is difficult, we must always prove ourselves,” Sanchez said.
He added: “I have wanted to be the best in the world since I was 15 years old.
“I’ve been thinking about it forever. But in these years I have learned not to be selfish with my companions. Claudio told me, talk more with the group. Maturity as a player has helped me to talk to my teammates.”
Sanchez has no further problems with an ankle injury which kept him from the starting line-up against Cameroon in his side’s first group match.
Chile are now prepared for world champions Germany who have “a young team, which runs a lot and also have experienced players,” Sanchez said.
Bravo meanwhile said the team must learn not to focus too much on its opponents.
It was also important for the current squad to leave a legacy and “break that barrier of fear” so that new players appear with the same winning mentality.
Bravo sees an open game against Germany - the two drew 1-1 in the group stage - but Chile are clear on how to approach the match and have “a lot of variables.”
“We are in a privileged setting and it is a magical opportunity,” he added.