For a moment (literally) with his head in the clouds, but now mainly with his feet on the ground. Zeno Dibast was told on board this week that he was in the selection for the Red Devils for the first time. The 18-year-old Anderlecht defender spoke at a press conference today about his joining the group. “I’m especially glad they haven’t called me here yet,” he seemed relaxed.
It felt like the first day of school for Zeno Debast. The Anderlecht defender started his first training camp in Tubiz yesterday as a first-class player for the Red Devils.
“It was a special moment to get here. It really is a dream come true. Everyone welcomed me and the national coach immediately comforted me, telling me that I can learn a lot here and above all have fun.”
The 18-year-old defender is already looking forward to Tubize. “It is more professional here. There is more time and everyone can follow their own schedule. You also feel that all the players know what they are doing.”
“I’m learning here with my own eyes. I’m a big fan of Kevin De Bruyne’s level. Fortunately they haven’t called me scampi (his nickname) yet,” Debast joked at the press moment.
Debast will not soon forget the moment the selection was announced.
“We were on the plane with Anderlecht after a regular conference. Everyone was watching the press conference. Fortunately, the plane had just taken off. So I had enough contact to hear my name.”
“That was a special moment for me. There was also a lot of joy among my teammates. However, I didn’t actually expect that I would be there now.”
Vincent Kompany helped me a lot in retraining as a defender
Therefore, Dibast is very grateful for the support he has received over the years.
“I owe this success primarily to my family and my friend. In addition, I must consider myself fortunate that – while re-training as a defender – I had the help of top players like Vincent Kompany and Craig Bellamy.”
Debast was even compared to his mentor Kompany recently.
“It’s an honor to be compared to my example, but I’m still very calm about it. My feet are on the ground. I haven’t proven anything yet. It’s now up to me to do that.”
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