In a major interview with Relevo, Sevilla winger Lucas Ocampos has revealed he was ‘not treated well’ during his time at Ajax. The Argentine spent the first half of the season on loan at Ajax from Sevilla. But, after making just six appearances he returned to his parent club in January. Since returning to his Sevilla, the 28-year-old has featured 28 times in all competitions and he’s reached the Europa League final. At Ajax, he played just 114 minutes of football.
Looking back on his time in Amsterdam, Ocampos said ‘Of course I don’t feel I was treated well. I never asked for special treatment, I just wanted a bit of respect. They can say a thousand things about me, but I was always a good professional. I never complained and never argued with anyone. Until the last day, I tried to be a good professional.’
‘Three months ago I was still training at a youth complex in the Netherlands,’ Ocampos said. ‘There were days when the physiotherapists as well as the physical trainers just didn’t show up to train with me. And now I’m in the final of the Europa League, with the club I love.’
The former Monaco and Marseille man revealed that he tried to make the most of his time in the Netherlands, but things just didn’t work out. ‘When I found out I was not going to play anymore, I trained alone. There were days when I arrived and there was nobody there. I would show up anyway, do my work and what happened next was not up to me.’ Lucas Ocampos also criticised the lack of professionalism at Ajax.
Ocampos’ main issue was his lack of playing time at the Johan Cruyff Arena. ‘I feel like I haven’t had any chances. I played 90 minutes in six months. Tell me which player proves something in ninety minutes. And it’s not like I played a whole game either: sometimes ten minutes, then six. I’m not a five-minute player, that’s the reality. For me, it’s pretty incomprehensible.’ Lucas Ocampos will be a part of the Sevilla squad that takes on Roma in the Europa League final on Wednesday.
