Yannick Carrasco has been causing a stir at Atlético Madrid for several years now. The player who has featured for his country, the Red Devils, 62 times was an attentive spectator during the Round of 16 of the UEFA Youth League between the U-19s of his current club, Atlético Madrid and his first, KRC Genk. After the match, he gave encouraged to our young Genkies and looked back on his childhood years in Genk.

You were quite the famous spectator today. Did you have to think for a long time to come and watch this match?

Of course, I didn't want to miss a match between my two teams. It's a unique experience for them. I was not lucky enough to be able to play in such competitions in my youth. They must learn from this and take the positives of this tournament with them. They were able to play here today in the stadium of Atlético Madrid in front of 16,000 spectators. They should take those beautiful memories home with them.

Who did you cheer for?

That's difficult to say. You can't ask me that (laughs). It's like choosing between two kids. It was a great match, and I was excited to be in the stadium. Let's stick to that (winks).

Going back to your time at Genk, as a young man from Brussels, you yourself ended up in Genk with a host family. How was that period for you?

That period was really great for me. I was really very lucky with my host family. They were like a second family to me. I was like a son to them. They have always done everything for me. I am still in contact with both the parents and the children.

Why did you choose KRC Genk's youth academy?

I could go anywhere in Belgium and was checking everywhere out. I immediately felt at home in Genk. It's a very family-oriented club. I was also able to stay with a host family instead of a boarding school. Family is very important to me so that was an important plus for me. Standard wanted me too, but I wanted to go to a Dutch-speaking school; Genk came out on top in all areas.

Was KRC Genk in your youth already the sort of academy it is today, with a focus on the technical side of the game?

Certainly. KRC Genk has always had an education that focused on technical play. The focus was not on size or physical strength, but on receiving the ball, learning to pass correctly, technique, ball control, ball possession… Winning or always playing in the Champions League was not the most important thing, but rather improving as a footballer in every aspect to be ready if you ever made it to the first team.

To what extent has your education in Genk contributed to the player you are today?

Everywhere I've played I've learned a lot. Even today at 29 I am still learning. KRC Genk helped me grow as a child. I stayed there until I was 16 and I had a good few years there. But at 16 my growth in football didn’t stop. In Monaco I was playing in a very physical competition, where we played against adults. I had to adapt there, as well as to a different playing style; every moment has its positives.

Our U19 played in the UEFA Youth League against the biggest club in the world. Are you surprised we got this far?

 KRC Genk has always had a great youth academy. They showed that again against Atlético Madrid. Unfortunately, they couldn't win today. They must keep working. There were some 15-year-old players so probably they could play in the UEFA Youth League next season when they are more mature than today. Then they have also gained the experience of today in such a large stadium with so many supporters watching them.

Do you have any advice for the players who are in our youth academy today?

Keep working, training, learning and above all having fun. That's the main thing. Football is a hobby. By having fun, they will go the furthest. Being a footballer is a beautiful thing. I hope that many of Genk's youth players can break through one day and stand in my place.

Can we expect you soon to kick off a KRC Genk match?

That would be lovely.