USMNT's Sergino Dest on Recovering Fitness, Pochettino's trainings, and PSV's Brutal CL Draw: Men in Blazers 09/04/25

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1:23You're listening to the Men in Blazers Media Network, suboptimal radio. PSV will play Bayern Munich at home. Ah, damn. Liverpool. I know, man. Newcastle awaits. Napoli's fighting De Bruyne's. Damn. We have a difficult draw, man.

1:47My guest today is a life force of a defender. A human joy to see him back on the field for both club and country. Recovering from a lengthy knee injury. But less than a month into this Eredivisie season, he's already scored twice for PSV Eindhoven, including an 84th minute moment of wonder to win the Dutch Super Cup. Man's already having a better comeback than Bill Belichick. It's a joy to raise our Michelobultra superior like beer to that human blur of speed. Few men love a nutmeg more than him. He's got his own logo. He needs his own personal highlight reel editor. Welcome, Trof, to Mr. Seginio Dest.

2:26What up, right? What up? Did I get that right? Welcome, Trof. Is that good Dutch? Or did I just F that up completely? Welcome, Trof. Oh, I could never quite get it. Almost, almost. You got it. It was about that far away, Seginho. But it's so bloody good to see you back at US Men's National Team Camp. Thank you. For the first time since March 2024. What's it like to be back? It's the first time you've been able to train with Mauricio Pochettino. Yeah, obviously I was there in the summer as well. but it was a little difficult. You know, I wasn't totally fit. Yeah, I'm so glad to be back. You know, I'm feeling really good and I feel like I can help the team a lot.

3:05The players that you've arrived to meet are so different to the last time you were there. I think there's a dozen players from MLS, four new uncapped players. How do you get to know your teammates? How do you introduce yourselves before you get stuck in at training? It's kind of a whole new squad, you know, like half of the squad is new. So obviously, you know, you got to get to know each other a little bit. And obviously in the pitch, you know, you will see some different qualities. So I feel the qualities introduced for themselves as well. That's the situation at the moment. You know, we got to deal with this.

3:39And I mean, everybody has an opportunity and a chance to be there in this squad, to be fighting for the World Cup. So am I. So I'm really happy to be back. I'm trying to do my best. and we've got to achieve great things with this team. I've got to say, it's so bloody good to see you back, Seginia, because this was one agonising ACL injury and it's been a gruelling recovery. I think you were limited to just seven games all competitions last season, but you come back with a vengeance. It's like watching you jump with your way down the field, two goals, two assists in five games, that 84th-minute winner to give PSV their 15th Dutch Super Cup.

4:21How does that first game coming back feel? Is it excitement for you or are there added nerves? Are you holding back at all trying to test your injury? Yes, of course. Whenever I was there in the summer with the national team, my leg was not good anymore. I had a couple of days off that I took during vacation after the season, after we became champion. And I was really surprised, man. I was like five, six, seven days. and then I come back and it's like I would two months of step backwards you know like I had no power in my leg and I was training training training during the vacation after that when I got sent back home I did the whole preseason so I felt the progress you know slowly coming up but the first couple games you know I felt like my body you know was not the same like it used to be before it's obviously really nice to be important for the team have two goals and two assists already i think this is also a season where i'm really gonna focus on getting these goals and assisting to get um really really important for the team and obviously i want to play good and i feel like my body is getting stronger and stronger since last week i feel like because i was also with a hamstring tendon i felt that for like six months since march so it's like it wasn't something really dangerous but it was irritating in my sprint so I couldn't really sprint maximum so now that is completely gone but I still have to manage it you know so I'm really working consistent and doing extra work and visual and etc so I'm really focused and motivated so this season has to be my best season I have to be ready for the World Cup I have to be ready for this team for my own club.

6:09And just personally, I want to be strong without any injuries, man. So I'm really focused and consistent to do that. Your game isn't just about simply moving the ball from point A to point B. I mean, you are the entire collection of FIFA skill moves. Elasticos, why? Because, Robona, no luck passes. So where exactly are you? Do you feel like you're ready to get back full on that Seginio Dest entertainer? Or does it still feel like you're working your way through the gears? No, I'm feeling like I'm ready to be an entertainer again. I need maybe a couple more weeks and then I'm 100 % back to that old level.

6:47And even better. Hell yeah, man. That's my game. I like to do some skills. I like to play with flair. And I feel like that's really nice for the fans to watch as well. And also for me, if I watch myself back on the YouTube clips or whatever, it's nice, you know? It's nice to see yourself. I want to ask you about that. I am going to get to that because it is an amazing part of your demeanour, your being, your aura, that you both do it and you love to talk about it and revel in it. But how do you put in your own words? Because I love watching you as a footballer. You do seem to bring a sense of true joy to the field wherever you can.

7:26But in your own words, Seginho, if you were to complete this sentence, And Seginho Dest is the kind of player who tries to do what? How would you, in your own words, how would you describe yourself? Skillful, fearless and joyful. I guess that's how I describe myself. Whenever I was a kid, you know, the reason why I fell in love with the sport was because of the skills and because of the things you could do that other people, for example, can do, you know. And that's really nice to be able to do these things in sometimes even risk situations because only like that you can achieve glory and make glory, man.

8:06It's nice. Just the ultimate thrill seeker on a football field. And we are with you along for the ride. I mean, I want to talk about that YouTube thing that you've just hit because the story is you always considered yourself a left back. But is it true you realized that you could play right back too by watching YouTube videos of yourself? Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. Like, obviously, I was playing my first season at PS3. I was playing the whole season left back, you know? So then sometimes in your mind, it's going to be like, oh, no, I only want to play left because I'm used to playing left in this team.

8:39You know, everything went well, so I want to play left. And then it was a while for me to play on the right, so I needed to adjust. And I was mentally not ready yet to play on the right. But now I am, and I was like, damn like I cannot find excuses you know like I know how to play right back I've done it all these years I've been as a right back to Barcelona et cetera et cetera so what am I saying so then I started watching these clips and I was like yeah of course I can do it and obviously it's not always easy but now I'm fully confident again at both both the both spots man okay Cecilio just to get That is right.

9:18It was watching yourself play right back on YouTube that made you realize that you could play right back. Yeah, because obviously I think everybody knows as a football player, you know, if you're right footed and you're on the right side, it's sometimes more difficult. If you're left footed and you're on the left side, same thing. That was for me the change again in terms of how to play and also the 1v1 actions was kind of different. And, you know, I needed to get used to it again. And I think part of it was also because I wasn't fully fit. So then everything is more difficult, you know? So now when I'm fully fit, I feel like I can play on all the sides.

9:55Even if it's probably me as a goalie, man, I'm going to get all the balls out of the goal. By the way, you joke. No, no, I'm kidding, I'm kidding. You joke, you joke, Cezinho. We may need you. Number nine, baby. Cezinho death. You heard it here first. Number nine. Which do you prefer, left or right now? It really depends. in what team I play, with who I play, and against who I play. So it doesn't matter for me at the moment. You're famous for dropping the highlight reels of your own moves after games. We've talked about this before. I love that you do it win or lose. You're just like, yeah, okay, this is what I did.

10:33When you watch them, and I don't know how many times you do watch your own highlight clips, what emotions do you feel watching yourself, Sajin? Obviously, highlights. the majority of highlights clips are always the positive things, so obviously I'm also looking at the negative things, the things that I did wrong in the game. So I don't forget about these things. But yeah, the things that I've done, great. Obviously it's nice to watch and I feel good about it. Do you just laugh? Do you laugh out loud when you watch yourself? Yeah, because it's nice, you know. That gives me joy. That is why I'm doing this sport, you know, to be able to do all these things, be important, but also to enjoy, to enjoy the sport, you know, and I feel nowadays you don't really have it anymore.

11:18You have a lot of robots, if I say it like that, like a lot of tactics, et cetera, but the creativity, that is what makes the sport beautiful, in my opinion. Amen. Sashini Odest, amen to all of that. By the way, not just football, but in life. Find that joy. Yeah. We are delighted to bring you the Men in Blazers City Guides, presented by Visa. A joyously assembled guide to the best places to eat, drink and explore and watch the beautiful game across the country. It's a guide aimed at helping fans experience the city as a local. It's built by you, our listeners, recommending some of the best small businesses in your communities.

12:02Like the finest Viet Cajun in Houston. Yes. The best burrito in San Francisco. Yes. Where to savour lemon pepper wet in Atlanta. Yes, yes, yes. A massive shout out to our sponsor Visa, who's made this guide possible. Visa gives local business owners the tools and support to be ready for moments exactly like this one, welcoming you to enjoy the games this summer. Start planning your journey at meninblazers.com backslash cityguides. Not to hark on a dark time, but 11 months away from the game, whether you were recovering, whether you were rehabbing a torn ACL, having to work independently away from the rest of your teammates, that must have been for you its own kind of agony.

12:45How do you do it mentally? Do you just stay connected to the team, to football, or do you let yourself disconnect mentally and just focus on rehab? At that moment, I really disconnected from football, to be honest. I didn't want to go to the stadium. I didn't want to watch my teammates too often because then it's going to trigger me a little bit more, you know. So it was difficult, but I accepted it. And I was like, okay, you know what? Let's see what life has to offer more, you know? Let's see what other things I can do. Maybe I find some new hobbies or I meet some new people. And that's what I've done.

13:20I went to the Fashion Week in Paris. I went to the Formula One, you know, that's also a different sport that I didn't really know so much about it. Now I do know more. I was actually about to go a couple of days ago, but I had to come into camp, so I couldn't. But yeah, of course, man. I'm a person that if I accept something, I'm not going to look back because I feel like I cannot change the situation. So why should I get so much emotions about it, you know? So I just look forward and see whatever I can accomplish when I look forward. And then I just look forward, man. You know, I speak a lot with Tyler Adams, a gentleman who spent an agonizing amount of time out on the sidelines.

14:02He had a long-term back injury. He spent time in surgery. He's been away from his team for long, long periods. He told me he got in touch with you right after your injury because he knew some of the moments and the lows that you'll go through while in rehab. What was the piece of advice you got from a player that really helped you through this dark period? Obviously, some of the players. And I got a lot of messages from people, you know, that really lived along with me in that moment. and they told me obviously yeah whatever you need if you need help just you know don't be don't be scared to reach out you know I'm here for you so I really appreciate that of course some people just send me packages of fruit or whatever I appreciate everything man it's about the gesture you know I'm a kind of I don't want to say too introvert but I'm a kind of guy that don't like to ask too many questions so I'm just doing it on my own with the people near to me that help me and I got all the help I needed so I was good you know I was good at that moment so I couldn't complain.

15:10What's your favourite fruit Seginho? My favourite fruit? Yeah. Why are you asking that? Just because you got the fruit for the players I want to make sure you get the fruit you like Seginho. Yeah man I like all types of fruit man I like all types of fruit I don't have a favorite. I don't have a favorite. Let's keep sending this man the fruit that he needs to get fully back. But what did this period of recovery teach you about yourself in the deepest way, about your game or yourself? I mean, like, be patient and don't stress about things you can't control. There you go. Football and life, listeners.

15:49One of my favorite moments of your recovery, I've got to say this is personal, It was the time you went to your barber's, got your haircut, while wearing a barber's cape that was personalized with your own Seginio Des logo on it. How does one get a personal barber's cape? I actually got it from the national team barber, you know, David. Authentic barber, so shout out to him. Yeah, I saw him with his cape, you know. I saw, like, all his cape were fly. So I was like, is there a possibility you can get me one? I just pay for it and you get me one. like a nice one with my logo and stuff. And I was like, okay, I have a couple in my house whenever Barbers come.

16:29I feel more personalized, you know. It's nice to have. And obviously it's not like the biggest expense or something. So I was like, a cool thing to have, why not? It's one of my life goals now to get my own personalized Barbers cake. But in terms of your return, you've made all seven of your appearances near the end of last season. You played the full 90 minutes in the final game against Sparta, Rotterdam. You came into camp. There was the pair of friendlies against Turkey and Switzerland. Then it was decided, as you've said, that you should go off and work on your own again, focus on your own recovery.

17:02Mauricio Pochettino said he wanted to put you on your own training program because it was the best decision for the player. Mentally, what was that like? Was that rational to you and you understood it? Was it frustrating emotionally to feel so close to the promised land, but then to have to return? yeah it was it was really tough you know because i was working really hard but i felt like i have to admit i agree with them at that moment i didn't feel perfectly good i felt actually pretty bad but i just didn't want to admit it you know i was like no i'm good i'm good i'm good you know and i was training so much even before training extra training just i wanted to get that strength back and I thought it would take a couple days, you know, but it wasn't like that.

17:48And then at the end, they made the decision that it was best for me to go back because it was dangerous. And I was a little bit disappointed, but I understood very well where it came from. So I accepted it, man. It was the best decision. And that's why whenever I went back, I really started to think about like, hey, these things can happen to me. You know, I've been a couple of times, had the setback from my ACL injury. I was like, now I've got to be more consistent. I've got to work with someone specifically that knows my body. And we're going to make a plan for one year just to see where we're going to get.

18:25And that's what we're doing now. That's why I feel like better, better and better. And I don't stop now when I feel good. I'm going to improve myself to get to the next level. When you're away from football, the summer's goal cut where we reached the final, lost to Mexico. Do you follow that tournament from the outside or when you're not there? do you avoid the games when you're injured? You just can't watch them? No, I watch them. I watch them. Obviously not live because time difference. You know, I have to sleep. I'm sorry. But obviously, you know, the highlights, etc. I watched. But yeah, obviously I wanted to be there.

19:01What's it like? You see Malik Tillman balling. You see Diego Luna announcing himself. Which player made an impression on you, Sejino? I think Diego did really well in that tournament, you know. There was like a player I didn't really know so much about before, to be honest. And obviously, it's nice to see some new players and new qualities, you know. McGaglin, the first game he scored against Turkey, or it was Turkey. Yeah, McGlin, McGlin. He scored against Turkey, right, in the first two minutes or something. And I feel like he has a really great shot, you know, from distance. So I think that is also really good quality that we can use in its team.

19:46So it was nice to see different qualities, qualities I haven't really seen before. So many changes have occurred since your last appearance for the US March 2024. You played the full 90 in a dos acera over Mexico in the Nations League final. Back then, the US men were still coached by Greg Berhalter. Mauricio Pochettino was arrived last September. It's almost exactly one year ago, Seginho. you're encountering the Pochettino camp for the first time. What have you experienced that's been different than in the past? What has Poch brought to this team? To be honest, I haven't been that long with Poch.

20:22This is actually my first real camp. So it's difficult to say because I haven't played a game under him yet. But obviously, during the camps, the camps are a little bit different in terms of training sessions, in terms of maybe a little bit more strict. I don't know if I want to say it like that, but maybe a little. But yeah, it's too soon for me to say, to be honest. You are back with your PSV and US teammate, Riccardo Pepe, who's also just recovered from a long-term knee injury. Last weekend, he played 45 minutes against Telstar, which I think was his longest stretch on the field since January.

21:00The two of you supported each other during your time away? Oh, yeah, yeah, of course. Of course, I have a really good relationship with Riccardo. So that's nice. Obviously, he had some difficulties coming back with his injury because he also had a knee injury. But he's playing now. So the last two games, he came in as a sub. So he plays and I'm happy for him that he gets back. Because we need him. You see him in training every day in a way most US men's national team football fans don't. What's he like to have to defend against, Seginho? How good is he? He's a really good striker. You know, obviously, I'm not a centre-back, so I don't play against him that often.

21:42But if I play, I win my duos, you know. Yeah, yeah, I win my duos. But no, he's a really good striker, of course. He has a really great shot from distance, you know. That is, I think, his biggest quality to score goals. And I like that. And obviously, with his injury, I noticed it by myself. You know, even when you're back the first couple of months, it's still difficult. you know it's still not the same it's still not not only mentally but it's not mentally actually for me it's just how my body feels you know like in some curve some corners you know change of direction you feel like you just need a little bit more time you know or bigger angle and that is something that will go away after some months but that is something you see with him still in training what i see and what i kind of understand is that with some angles he just need some more time and stuff but that will go away but you just need some time you know and he has time do you work on that with a psychologist as you know no no i i i'm just there with my fish shows and my doctors so obviously i ask them the questions and i ask them hey why is that like still like this is it going away or not and they say yeah it is you know and obviously i'm still focusing ton of fish and working and now slowly i start feeling like hey these things are going away man i i feel like you know like i'm the old one and also that's nice that's nice but sometimes you have some doubts you know because it's difficult you're like i'm already 15 months out why do i still don't make the the you know the change of direction like i used to but that's just the process we just got to believe in and just got to be patient and that's it man i want to talk about life in camp for one moment who's the toughest guy in u.s camp to go up against in training and why you asked me something man you asked me something man who's the toughest guy to i don't know man i don't know i don't wait how do you not know nobody comes to mind there's no one on the ball and you're like okay i'm stepping in here this is my moment no man i'm just really confident man i'm really confident my own qualities that that anyone can come and i'm there to be in war with you if I have to, but I don't know, man.

24:02By the way, this is the most American part of an interview I've ever, ever had. I love it. Serginio Dest is the toughest guy to go up against in training. Who's the funniest guy in US men's national team camp right now? Richard Richards. Chris Richards? Yeah, yeah, yeah. He's a chill guy. He's also a very, very, very funny guy. Yeah, he's a chill guy, but also a clown.

24:28Japan and Korea are going to be some test What do you feel is the goal of this camp, Seginho? What will make it a success? Is it results? Is it a style of play? Is it something else? Only results is that matters It's what matters, you know, for me Obviously, we want to play nice, etc But at the end of the day, we have to win I want to touch quickly on Europe Champions League draw held last week PSV will play Bayern Munich at home. Ah, damn. Liverpool. I know, man. Just make noises after every team. Bayern Munich was on. Liverpool and Newcastle away. No. No, we have a difficult draw, man. I'm not finished yet.

25:13You've got a late group stage match against Napoli's fighting De Bruyne. I mean, your injury mean you didn't play in the Champions League last season, but which of these games, Which of these match-ups have you circled on your own calendar? What are you most excited about, man? I'm actually excited about all the Champions League games, you know, because it's a really tough draw. But we have three or four games that we should 100 % be able to win. The other ones are tougher, you know, like Liverpool, Bayern, Munez, Atletico Madrid, Newcastle, Napoli. It's tough. But I feel like if we give 100%, the ball's around.

25:49It's just one game, so you can be lucky. It is possible, but it's really difficult. I'll give my all for the club and let's see how far we make it. But the first game is against Union, Union SG from Belgium. We have to get the three points there. We've got to be sharp. We've got to work with each other. And if you play as a team with the right mentality, I mean, you can win all the games. Obviously, the quality difference is there. But it's just one game, 90 minutes, if you're locked in. When you think about that Liverpool away at Anfield Are you just like locked in Focused Just a game of football Or is it part of you That's like wow Anfield What a joy What a wonder What an opportunity What emotions do you feel I feel just locked in Ready Because we're there for a game You know I'm not there I've played for big clubs I'm not there to look at the stadium Or whatever I'm just there to play To win with the team And obviously Liverpool Anfield It's really difficult to win It's an amazing club.

26:51So personally, I'm there just for the team, giving my all and also for myself to kind of show myself. Once you've been a teammate of Lionel Messi's, does nothing else compare? Nothing becomes intimidating after that? I'm never intimidated by no one. I'm sorry. But obviously his qualities were out of this world. But yeah, no, I'm not intimidated by no one. So, Gino, when you've been in the locker room before kickoff or at the half, which of your teammates has given the most motivating pep talk that you've ever heard and what do they say? Damn. You're asking me so questions, man. Come on, man. I'm the type of guy who just listens, but I don't listen because I'm focused, you know.

27:37I don't remember. I don't remember, you know. I love that guy. You just see mouths moving. Yeah, I just see mouths moving. And I'm just like, I'm just thinking about, okay, what I'm not going to do in the pitch or whatever, you know. There's a story about you that I love. In your first season at PSV, you made a bet with assistant coach Rob Mass that if you scored at least three goals, he had to buy you a tank of gas. But if you scored less than three, you had to hand wash his cart. You'd already scored two before your knee injury kept you out. I've got to ask, have you made any bets for this season?

28:11Because you're already on two after four league games. I did. I did. So last one I lost, obviously I had four games in hand, but I got injured. Too bad. At the end he said like, no, I don't want you to wash my car. Okay, good. You know, I wanted to do it, but if you don't want, okay, good. So this year I made a bet with him. I told him I need a minimum of four goals, a minimum. I think personally I'm going to score more. A minimum of four goals and a minimum of 11 assists. So I'm just keeping it at 15 GA this season. That is what I want. That's my goal. 15 GA or more. What are the stakes, Sajinio?

28:50We didn't decide yet, but that's going to be it. But we didn't decide what we're going to do for each other now. If you get 15 GA, I will clean Rob Mass's cut. All right. All right. I will book your ticket. Tell old Bobby Mass that those are the stakes. But last question for you, Sajinio. As you look ahead towards the US friendlies, towards this upcoming Eredivisie season, What will make it feel like a success for you? Being champion again, get my personal goals, of course. And actually, that's it. Do you think about the World Cup? I mean, you've already played in one. Do those games feel utterly different and it feels like an experience you crave again, separately to the one that you've already had?