Leverkusen is currently in training camp in Brazil. In an interview with the official website, the 26-year-old team midfielder Palacios talked about his views on Brazil and Brazilian football, the role of the summer holiday, and his role in the newly formed lineup.

- This year's pre-season preparations begin in Brazil - that is your neighbor of Argentina. Is this a special beginning for you too?

Palacios: "For me, this is wonderful in many ways. On the one hand, I like the climate here and I am in my hometown mainland; on the other hand, I can come directly from Argentina, which naturally makes it easier for me to prepare for the game, and I can spend more time with my family."

- In terms of your professional experience, Brazil is also a special country for you: in 2021 you defeated the hosts with the Argentine national team at the Maracana Stadium in Rio and won the Copa America. What emotions did you evoke when returning to Rio?

Palacios: "Brazil is a beautiful country with beautiful beaches and excellent culture. I have come here with the national team many times and have experienced very special moments. Those of them will certainly remain in memory forever. And now it's the first time I've been here with the club for longer. It's a new experience and I enjoy it."

- You and Flamenco also had an intersection: When you played for River Plate in 2019, they lost to them 1-2 in the final stages of the Liberty Cup final due to two goals in the final stage. You thought at the time, would you train on the training ground in Flamenco one day?

Palacios: "I certainly wouldn't have thought of it at the time. But I also tried to put those memories about Flamenco aside. Now I'm here with Leverkusen, the 2019 final is another story. Of course the loss was very profound, but that's over, I look forward."

- You will watch the legendary derby of Flamenco against Fruminense tonight (the match is over, Flamenco 1-0 Fruminense). What are your expectations for watching the game in Maracana?

Palacios: "I can see how strong the Brazilian team is in the Club World Cup recently - and the atmosphere created by their fans, they fill the stadium and are very excited. Overall, South American fans are very passionate and will follow their teams anywhere. Flamenco and Fruminense are of course two very large and well-known clubs on the world stage, and have many fans."

- Both teams play home games in Maracana. How important is this stadium to you?

Palacios: "This is a stadium with a great history and one of the most important venues in football in the world. I was lucky enough to participate here in 2021 and won the Copa America final. It was one of the most important moments of my career, so I have very good memories of Maracana. But in training camp, I didn't really look back on the past, but focused on working with Leverkusen."

-Transfers frequently this summer, and Leverkusen has many new players joining, and a new team of coaches. How do you think of the upcoming season? How far can it be done?

Palacios: "There are a lot of changes, and there are key positions. But Leverkusen is a club that develops great players, and then they sometimes sell them to bring in new talents. In this way we have made history, won the championship trophy, and took the club to a new level. We are ready for preparation, we have a good team, and we will prepare as much as possible for the new season to strive for as success as possible."

- Some core players in the past few seasons have left. You are the world champion, a key player for many years, and now you are very experienced. Do you want to take on a different, perhaps more weighty role in the team?

Palacios: "I have been here for five and a half years, but I will continue to behave in the past and face it with the same attitude: train hard, stay humble, listen, especially helping young players when needed - whether on the court or off the court. I will pass on my experience to always listen to anyone, and if there is anything, you can come to me at any time; and on the court I will take the lead in giving everything and strive to perform at the best level."

- How do you feel in general now? After the summer offseason rest, have your physical and mental state recovered?

Palacios: "This holiday is really good for me, especially because of the success of Leverkusen, the World Cup and the Copa America, I haven't had a real holiday in a long time. So I really enjoyed this time, I got a break, spent a lot of time with my family, and met with friends. To just do what I need to recover and get my body and spirit. Over time, you'll want to do what you love and you start missing football. So I'm so glad that the preparations started. I feel good and ready to go all out again and get into it."