Juan Cabal describes himself as resilient, reflecting his journey to join Juventus, a dream he has had since childhood. “Being here is the most beautiful thing that has happened in my career. I can’t find the words to express my emotions. When I was told I was joining Juventus, I cried and couldn’t stop. I’m a simple person, and this fills my heart with joy. Juventus has always been my dream and my family’s as well; I fought hard to get here. I’ve always pursued it, and when I arrived in Italy, I felt a little closer to realizing that dream.”
Despite interest from Inter, Cabal’s love for Juventus prevailed. “I don’t want to discuss the other club because they are important too, but my decision is tied to my dream. I didn’t want to go anywhere else. I’m really happy to be at one of the biggest clubs in Italy and in the world, where great players like Chiellini, Bonucci, and Cannavaro have played.”
Cabal, who previously made his mark at Verona, aims to make a name for himself at Juventus. “I want to bring all my talent to Juventus; I’ll do everything I can to make history here. I’ve looked up to players in the black and white jersey, from Cuadrado to Cristiano Ronaldo to Alex Sandro. I want to create my own legacy at Juventus.”
As the second Colombian player to don the Juventus jersey after Cuadrado, Cabal has already spoken to him. “Juan told me that I made the right choice because there’s no other team like this one. Everyone in Colombia is happy for me and is asking for jerseys.”
Cabal has been assigned the number 32, previously worn by Thiago Motta, and is comfortable playing both center-back and left-back. “Thiago advised me to enjoy it, to remain myself, and to work hard because talent alone is not enough. He is a good person and an exceptional player, and I believe his advice will help me. As a kid, I admired Marcelo. Thiago surprised me with the confidence he instills, even for newcomers like me. I felt that in our two friendlies. Whether in the middle or on the left, I’m fine with it. My time at Verona helped me gain confidence; if you don’t believe in yourself, others won’t either. I’ve grown a lot, adapted to Italian football, and now feel ready to deploy my talent for Juventus.”
Cabal’s adjustment to his new surroundings has been very positive. “I still feel a bit out of place when I enter the locker room, but I’m happy with what I’m discovering. Everyone has been very kind to me. Football can be tough, and you need to be strong to trust in yourself. On the field, we’re all leaders, and that comes from daily hard work. There’s a great atmosphere here, a new energy, and I immediately felt part of the team.”