Juventus star McKennie: ‘I never thought I’d make it, I wish more people saw me as humble’
Weston McKennie has reflected on a remarkable personal journey that has taken him from being cast aside at Juventus to becoming one of Luciano Spalletti’s most trusted and indispensable midfielders, and with a home World Cup on the horizon with the United States, life could hardly look more different from the darkest moments of his career.
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The American, who recently signed a contract renewal at Juventus after establishing himself as a key figure under Spalletti, spoke candidly to Goal about self-doubt, humility and the importance of staying grounded despite achieving things he once considered impossible.
His honesty about the fragility of his early career is striking for a player now operating at the very highest level.
“When I was in the USA youth teams I never would have thought something like this could happen to me,” McKennie said, with quotes via CalcioMercato.
“As a child you get discouraged easily, and every time I was left out of the squad I thought there was no way I could ever make it. I would go back to Dallas, to my family and to FC Dallas, and there they relaunched me, believing in me day after day. That pushed me to improve more and more, to push beyond what I thought was possible. I am grateful for the journey I have taken to get here, I never would have imagined reaching this level.”
McKennie: ‘I’m a human being like everyone else’
That journey has not only shaped him as a footballer but as a public figure, one acutely conscious of the responsibility that comes with being a role model for young American players trying to follow a similar path.
“It is an extraordinary feeling but also a responsibility,” he said. “Back then social media was not so common and my role models were people I saw on TV or in magazines. Today there is much more responsibility.”
What McKennie is most eager for people to take from his story, however, is something more personal than the goals and assists. “I am a good footballer, but above all I am a human being like everyone else,” he said.
“I try to always be faithful to my values and my roots. I wish people saw me as humble, you need to remain humble and follow your dream, finding your own path.”
Away from football, McKennie painted a picture of a man who values simplicity above all else. Barbecues with family, a drink with friends, time with his dogs, the kind of ordinary pleasures that keep him anchored to who he was before the fame.
“I like to enjoy life to the fullest,” he said. “The last six to eight months have been pretty positive, in family life, with friends, and with my dogs.”