10 questions for Federico Fazio

1. Who was your first footballing hero as a child?

"Juan Roman Riquelme, because I've been a Boca Juniors fan since I was very young and he was the team's star when I started following football. He was a superb player who won so many titles with Boca and I've always admired him."

2. Did you play any other sports when you were young?

"Honestly, when I was a child I always liked playing football. I did a bit of swimming when I was about four, but it didn't take long for football to take over. It's always been my favourite sport."

3. What position did you play when you were growing up?

"When you first begin playing the game in Argentina, you train on five-a-side pitches and I started out in midfield, not defence. My first club was the local side of my 'barrio', Club Atletico Estudiantil Porteno."

4. What do you remember about your professional debut?

"I remember it perfectly: I was playing for Club Ferro Carril Oeste in Argentina's second division in 2005-06 and we were facing Club Atletico Tigre that day. It was a special day made even more unique by the fact the team was completely made up of youngsters: our 'oldest' player was 23. Nevertheless, we played well and won, it was a great debut in every respect. We also embarked on a great run of victories after that game. It was a really special period because it was as if loads of Primavera players here moved up to the first team in between seasons and began with a winning streak."

5. What is your favourite game you have played in and why?

"There are a few but if I really have to pick out one, I'd say my first game at the Santiago Bernabeu against Real Madrid during the return leg of Spain's Super Cup. It was August 2007 and I was playing for Sevilla. I had just moved up into the first team at 19 years old and coach Juande Ramos decided to put me in the starting line-up. We won 5-3 and lifted the trophy in front of 70,000 spectators – it was an amazing day for me!"

6. Who is the best opponent you have played against?

"That's easy, Lionel Messi. I played loads of league and cup games against him when I was at Sevilla. He always performed fantastically and often scored. Obviously that wasn't something he reserved purely for us, seeing as he practically always performs at that standard because he's a superstar."

7. Who is the best player you have played with?

"Diego Perotti, who is a great player and a special person for me. We've played seven years altogether, which is extremely rare in football. Seeing him again here at Roma after our time together at Sevilla is fantastic. It's wonderful being able to carry on sharing moments on the pitch with him. I've also played alongside many other great players – like Dani Alves, Luis Fabio and Frederic Kanoute to name a few – but I rank Diego above all the rest."

8. Apart from the Olimpico, what is your favourite ground?

"I only competed in the second division in Argentina because Sevilla signed me when I was very young, so looking at the stadiums where I've played, I have to choose a European one. I've performed at many big arenas in Europe, both in Spain and around the continent in various competitions. If I have to pick out just one, I'd say the Santiago Bernabeu: it's an awesome stadium full of football history considering all the legends who have graced the turf there."

9. Who has been the biggest influence on your career?

"As a player, someone who was very important when I arrived as a youngster at Sevilla was Italian midfielder Enzo Maresca. He was instrumental in helping me fit in and understand various things about European football. He was kind of like a role model for me to grasp how it all worked on and off the pitch. He taught me a lot of very useful things. As a coach, Rodolfo Pereira was key to helping me get to where I am today; he was my coach at Club Ferro Carril Oeste where I put myself in the shop window before moving to Spain."

10. What is the best thing about being a footballer?

"First of all, being able to do what you've loved since you were a child for a living. This is exactly what happened to me because I always dreamed of becoming a footballer. With this job, you also have the advantage of being able to travel lots and get to know different countries, cultures, cities and people. This enriches you a great deal as a person, so I feel very lucky in this respect too."