The Commander: Fazio on his journey from Argentina's second division to Rome

Roma defender Federico Fazio - 'The Commander', as Emerson Palmieri recently dubbed him - has enjoyed a remarkable journey in professional football.

From his emergence as a callow teenager in the brutal world of Argentina's lower leagues, to his move to Europe with Sevilla and subsequent achievements on the way to the Italian capital, Fazio discusses the key moments in his career so far...

The humble beginnings...

I started out with [suburban Buenos Aires club] Ferro Carril Oeste when I was 10, and that was the only place I played until I moved to Sevilla just before I was 20.

I was the tallest kid in my class but it was an amazing experience when I first joined up with the seniors. Six team-mates and I moved up from the Under-19s to the first team at the same time, so we were all experiencing the same things. We played in the Argentinian second tier, and we finished fifth in my first season.

Our oldest player was 23, to give you an idea of what a young side it was. We faced lots of experienced players who would really go in hard but I wouldn't shirk a challenge - I put myself about.

"Our oldest player was 23, to give you an idea of what a young side it was. We faced lots of experienced players who would really go in hard but I wouldn't shirk a challenge - I put myself about."

- ... on becoming a first-team regular at 19

I've not always played at the back. In fact, I played centre forward for three or four years in the academy before dropping into midfield. A year before I moved into the first team I became a centre-back and I've played there ever since.

Playing at the back was a massive change for me but ultimately I realised that was where I was best suited. I became a starter [for the first team], although moving into the first-team squad was nothing like playing for the Under-19s.

Then I got a call-up for the Under-20 national team. I was the only player in the squad from the second division. It was a huge change, a huge honour, and I slowly realised that was the direction my career was taking.

Interest from Europe, moving to Sevilla...

I first got the call from Sevilla in December 2006 [when Fazio was 19]. A month later I played in the South American championships, and after that I moved to Europe.

It's never nice to leave home but it was a lot more difficult for my mother and my relatives. I was young, Europe is a long way from South America, and it was a big lifestyle change. I trained with the first team at Sevilla once I arrived, but initially I actually played games for the Under-19s. For a bit, anyway - I made my first-team debut after two months.

There was a massive difference between Spanish and Argentinian football: the Argentinian second tier is nothing compared with La Liga. I was playing for a big club - top of the European rankings - in the midst of a trophy-laden spell. It was a whole new challenge.

"We beat Real Madrid at the Bernabeu in the Spanish Super Cup ... we played AC Milan in the European Super Cup. Then we played in the Champions League for the first time. Not even a year earlier I was still in Argentina."

- ... on a whirlwind start to life in Spain

We had strikers like Luis Fabiano and Frederic Kanoute in the team - genuine stars. When I chat to Diego Perotti now, we always say that it was a real privilege to play alongside them.

After the first six months I got used to the tempo in La Liga. After a summer spent with the national team, I became a regular starter in August. We went on to great Europa League success, of course, but even during that period we achieved some unbelievable things.

We beat Real Madrid 5-3 at the Bernabeu in the Spanish Super Cup - what a match that was! Then we played AC Milan in the European Super Cup. We lost but it was still a memorable experience.

Then we played in the Champions League for the first time in the club's history. We faced sides like Arsenal in the group stage.

Not even a year earlier I was still in Argentina, that's how much my life had changed in such a short space of time.

International recognition beckons...

When I started playing with Argentina Under-20s the whole team had a great weight of expectation on their shoulders. The Albiceleste had won four of the previous seven Under-20 World Cups - we were dominant at that level!

So we were the reigning champions by the time it was our turn in 2007, and there was lots of pressure on us. Everyone wanted us to win. We had a great team - Angel Di Maria and Sergio Aguero were in that side with me. We beat the Czech Republic in the final to lift the trophy and it was a huge achievement for me. I have wonderful memories of that campaign.

The following year we won gold at the Olympics too. That was the most unusual experience of my career. It's totally different to other football tournaments, where you normally lock yourselves away in a hotel to focus.

The Olympic Village is different. You'd meet sportsmen from all over the world, superstars like Rafael Nadal and Kobe Bryant, and everyone would be milling around and socialising and taking in the atmosphere. Winning a medal for my country at the Olympics, especially a gold, was a real honour.

The call from Roma...

I got the call from Roma last summer and two weeks later I signed the contract - I didn't need much time to think about it! I had played for Sevilla for many years - during the club's best spell - but signing for Roma meant moving to the biggest club of my career.

It was a great opportunity for me. I've always liked Italian football and I've always had good ties with Italy, perhaps because my grandfather hails from the old country. If Argentina didn't win the World Cup, I always used to support the Azzurri.

"I've always liked Italian football and I've always had good ties with Italy, perhaps because my grandfather hails from the old country. If Argentina didn't win the World Cup, I always used to support the Azzurri."

- ... on moving to Rome

Serie A is not too dissimilar to La Liga. The most different league is England, where there are lots of one-on-ones; it's quick, direct, end-to-end football where teams don't worry about possession.

Here, however, all of the teams are more tactical, even more so than Spain. I really like it here.