"My mindset has changed a lot"

Andres, things have really been moving quickly, especially in the last few weeks. How are you feeling right now? Have you had time to process it all?
Well, to be honest, I’m really happy. As you said, everything happened very fast. But I’m very glad to be back and to be able to help the team again. I think the most important thing for me right now is to keep supporting the team. I’m trying to adapt to the pace and rhythm of the game the coach wants and take it step by step.

How are you feeling physically and mentally at the moment?
I feel very good. I think I had a really solid rehab process with the physiotherapists, especially with Javi, who spent the most time with me. Mentally, I also feel very strong, especially because I came back and scored in an away match. I’d be lying if I said I expected that, but I want to keep going and believe I’m putting in good performances.

You spent a lot of time in the gym at the Raiffeisen Arena over the past few months. How do you look back on the rehab training, and what did your daily routine during rehab look like?
You’re right, I spent a lot of time here. I can honestly say it was one of the toughest periods of my entire career. But I had the opportunity to work with great trainers. They supported me throughout the whole process to help me come back as strong as possible, both mentally and physically. And in our gym, I definitely had access to all the equipment I needed to keep pushing myself and getting better every day.

How much did you miss daily training with your teammates?
To be honest, I missed it a lot. It was really tough not being able to train with them or be around them for almost ten months. Watching from the outside, I always had the feeling that I wanted to be out there helping them. Now I’m back. I have no words for it. Right now, I just want to focus on helping the team, giving everything I have, and winning as many games as possible.

In the cup semi-final, you made your return to the Raiffeisen Arena. How much did you miss playing home games in front of our fans?
It was definitely incredible for me. So many mixed emotions, because it had been such a long time since I last played in front of our fans at the Raiffeisen Arena. From the first minute to the last, I felt the support. I think I gave everything I had. I played 105 minutes, and I’m proud of that. Of course, I was a bit disappointed that we didn’t get the result we wanted, but we have to keep going. There are still many games ahead, and the positive thing is that I feel at home here. I’m truly happy to be back and to have played again in this beautiful stadium.

With what kind of mindset are you stepping onto the pitch now? Has anything changed compared to before?
I think it’s my mentality. The work I had to put in over the past nine months was very difficult for me. That’s why my mindset has changed a lot. I try to pass on my positive attitude to my teammates, to keep improving every day, and to stay positive. For me, the most important thing is winning games — and that’s the attitude I want to keep.

Due to your injury, you had to watch several of our recent home games from the sidelines. How hard was it for you to sit out and know that you couldn't actively help the team?
It was really tough, to be honest. I watched a lot of games where I could see the team was struggling, and I knew I could do something to help. That wasn’t easy. But eventually, I realized I had to accept it — I was going to be out for a long time, and the only thing I could do was recover as quickly as possible to get back and help the team. I can honestly say I always gave my best from the outside, supporting the guys, giving advice to the younger players. And I think that was my way of helping the team, even while I was injured.

Who gave you the most strength during your injury?
Without a doubt, my family — my wife, my mother — they mean everything to me, and they were absolutely essential during that time. Mentally, I wasn’t doing well at first, and that’s exactly when they helped me the most. They were, without question, a huge support. The same goes for many people from Panama, and the support from Linz was also incredible. Without them, I wouldn’t have made it back the way I did.

What did you learn during your injury?
The injury taught me a lot of lessons, because it was such a tough time for me. But what I can say is that I will never give up on myself. That’s something I really learned, and now I try to motivate others who are going through similar injuries. I want to tell them to stay positive, keep a strong mindset, and keep going despite the setbacks. I want to be an example that you can still reach your goals, and that we can achieve anything we set our minds to.

And what are your wishes for the future?
I want to achieve something big with my team and I don't want to leave LASK without having won something. Another goal would be to make the leap to one of Europe’s top leagues, and I want to make my country proud. But we’ll see what the future holds.

Away at Altach, the moment finally came — your long-awaited competitive comeback. How did it feel to be back on the pitch?
To be honest, I didn’t expect to be in the starting lineup — let alone finish the match with a goal. It was incredible, that moment, especially after everything I’ve been through. It was a week full of positive moments and great experiences. To come back in that way and help the team with a goal was just amazing for me. Without a doubt, I have to thank God and the coaching staff at LASK for helping me through it all. From now on, things are looking up. I want to stay focused and continue bringing joy to the team.

In the first two matches after your return from injury, it was clear how much your quality helps the team. How did you manage to perform at such a high level right away?
I think it was thanks to the solid rehab training. As I mentioned, it wasn’t easy for me — but I’m here to help the team, and that’s what matters most. I gave everything in those two games. Maybe I overdid it a little, but in the end, I just wanted to give my all. I really wanted to win that cup semi-final. But I have to give special thanks to Javi, who supported me from the very beginning of my rehab. And just like him, the Olympic Center also played a big role in helping me improve my performance. I’m truly happy about that and I want to keep going.