Giménez: "2014 has been an incredible year"

We spoke to José María Giménez a few days before the end of the year. A good moment to look back and analyse his work development during the last months.

How do you look back at 2014?

It is mostly positive for everything I experienced, the things that were achieved with the team and the personal achievements. I hope we continue this run. It was a very important year on a group level. We were League and Super Cup champions and Champions League finalists. Yes, it's been a complete year.

In regards to your individual development, playing as a starter in the World Cup at only 19 years old, was it an unthinkable in the early part of the year or something you have dreamt about?

The World Cup was incredible, unbelievable. As a child, I always dreamt of wearing the shirt of my country in that competition. In the end, the coach took me and I gave everything. I am very happy. For me, it was an incredible year.

Godín and Miranda always spoke to me, taught me, and shared their experiences

How much of what has happened to you this year is due to learning alongside two centre-backs like Miranda and Godín?

I think a majority of what happened to me was because I was next to two amazing centre-backs who would always talk to me, teach me, and shared their experiences. I was like a student, learning from those teachers who taught me a lot with the help of the coaching staff.

What is most discussed about by the fans and the media about your play is how you demonstrate experience that is uncommon for a player of your young age. Do you think it's one of your greatest strengths or what strength would you highlight?

In Uruguay, when I played, a lot of people told me the same thing. I honestly didn't realise it. I think when I enter the pitch, I have a mentality that is committed to the team and having fun because after all, football is a game, a sport. To highlight the strengths, I would say my personality. I don't play with the nervousness of being wrong or not. If I'm wrong, I raise my head and continue, and if it goes well, I keep going forward.

Finally, what do you hope for in 2015 individually and collectively?

Collectively, what I hope for in 2015 is to continue this good run. I hope to continue with this great group. A team committed to what they want, what they do, responsibly and cheerfully, that's the main thing. What unites the group is joy. Hopefully, we continue the positive things. Individually, I aspire to continue growing, to continue earn minutes and take advantage of it, leaving everything on the field as the coach asks. My goal is to continue growing alongside professionals who perform incredibly.