Speaking on Leeds United’s YouTube channel, Gaetano Berardi has been paying tribute to the club’s fanbase and the departing Pablo Hernandez.
It was announced before the final game of the season that Berardi and Hernandez would be leaving Leeds at the end of 2020/21, and they’ve both been taking part in a final farewell interview.
What’s been said?
Berardi was speaking about the fans at Leeds, claiming that you don’t need to be the best player in the world to earn the adulation of the Elland Road faithful.
During his comments, Berardi stated that talented players do get a lot of praise, naming Hernandez as an example of a ‘incredible player’, but he also says that average players can become fan favourites.
“They see what you give for the team, you don’t have to be a really strong player to get the respect from the fans. They can see what you can do. They see an incredible player like Pablo, and they love it, but they’ll see an average player like me and love it as well. They really see what you are deep down, I couldn’t imagine this and this is why I will always have respect for them, for the club and the players.”
They’ll be missed
Berardi’s comments here show exactly why he and Hernandez will be missed at Leeds.
The fans absolutely adore the long-serving duo, and Berardi has hit the nail on the head on why they’re so beloved.
Hernandez is loved because of his supreme talent, he can pull off a moment of genius at any given moment, and he’s provided Leeds with so many brilliant memories.
Berardi, on the other hand, is a maverick who plays with his heart on his sleeve, and while he’s not the best defender in the world, he’s one of the most passionate players we’ve seen at Elland Road in recent years.
Hernandez has only played 16 games in the league this season, so we haven’t seen his genius all that often, but Berardi is absolutely right about him being an ‘incredible player’.
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