Cd. de México.- After just six months, Giorgos Giakoumakis has gained significant insights about the competitive nature of Liga MX. The Greek forward joined Cruz Azul during the summer of 2024 and, after one tournament, seven goals, and achieving a record points tally, he realized the league's superiority over MLS.
"I had my opinion about the league since I was playing for Atlanta United before coming here, and we played against Cruz Azul last year in the Leagues Cup. I was watching some Mexican league matches, and it's quite different from MLS; it’s a physical league focused on tactics too," confessed Giorgos during an interview with CANCHA.
Reflecting on his experiences, he noted, "MLS is very different from European football, and European football is different from the Mexican league. But if I had to say which is closer to European football, I would say Liga MX, because tactics are also an important part of European football. MLS is different, focused on marketing, on the spectacle, and there’s not much pressure from the fans."
Giorgos also shared some challenges he faced language-wise when he first arrived. "The language was the only issue I had when I got to Mexico. I loved Spanish even before I had any offers; it’s a language I always wanted to learn. I love the pronunciations, the accents, and everything. At first, I didn’t have the basics and couldn’t speak, but I learned quickly to communicate."
His aspirations to excel also include becoming the top scorer, something he fell short of. "I was enjoying it, but suffering at the same time due to my adaptation; it wasn't easy. The team did everything possible to make me feel welcome, but it was tough adapting. Over the last month, I've felt almost 100 percent adapted, which will make everything easier, training and gameplay, and will make me feel more important, as I can communicate with my teammates to express what I need on the field."
The elimination from the semifinals during the Liguilla left him with mixed feelings. "It’s odd the system they have here with the league and the Liguilla because we finished first with a significant points difference compared to second and third, but in the Liguilla, one bad match and you're out. We noted how unfair it is," Giakoumakis expressed.
About their recent semifinal match against America, he analyzed, "I can say there was a lack of concentration because we scored late and just after they got a penalty. You can't lose concentration for even two seconds in these types of matches; you need to be focused because it's a semifinal against one of your biggest rivals. We lost focus and paid for it. It hurt us a lot."
Giakoumakis also harbors dreams for his national team, often thinking of the Greece national squad. "The national team is always on my mind, and I feel very proud when I play. I would love for my country to qualify for the World Cup, even if I am not there. But that's one of the few things I haven't achieved in my career, and I would love to be at an important tournament with my country."
His culinary experiences have also been noteworthy. "I lived in Athens, which has millions of residents, so there are many cuisines. I tried many tacos, nachos, and burritos, but it's never the same until you go to the country to try it. The same goes for Greece. There are some Greek restaurants here, and they’re nice, but it’s not the same as when you go to Greece; the ingredients differ."
Giorgos is also preparing for life after football by keeping busy with investments. "I try to invest, prepare for life after football. I've invested in a pastry shop back in Greece, as well as in a fashion store with women's shoes, bags, sunglasses, and it's mainly managed by my wife and her sister. These are investments."
Finally, he expressed gratitude to Cruz Azul's fans: "First of all, I’d like to say thank you. From the first moment, they opened their arms and welcomed me to their family. They were there to support me at every game."
Giakoumakis remains dedicated to his improvement and hopes to help lead Cruz Azul to greater success, utilizing his newly found confidence and experience as he becomes integrated within the Mexican league atmosphere.