Devis Vasquez, the Colombian goalkeeper currently making waves at Empoli, has quickly transformed from an unknown entity to a potential phenomenon in Italian football. In an exclusive interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, the 26-year-old shot-stopper discusses his journey, experiences, and aspirations in the world of football.
When asked about his sudden rise to prominence at Empoli, Vasquez reflects, “I’ve been in Europe for a year and a half. I’ve been through Milan, Sheffield, and Ascoli. I’ve learned a lot. I’ve gained experience, which has served me well here at Empoli, where I’ve finally been given the opportunity to start. It was a chance I had wanted for a long time, and now that it’s arrived, I intend to make the most of it. Let’s say I’m happy with what we’re doing, me and the team.”
Standing at an impressive 196 centimeters, Vasquez has quickly established himself as one of the top performers in Serie A. After just seven matches, he has kept four clean sheets, matching the record of Juventus’ Di Gregorio, and has even saved a penalty against Lazio’s Castellanos.
Vasquez’s journey has taken him through some of Europe’s top clubs, including a stint at AC Milan. On his time there, he says, “Being part of a top club like Milan, where you can learn so much from your teammates, is invaluable.”
When asked about learning from Milan’s first-choice keeper, Mike Maignan, Vasquez admits, “To be honest, we don’t talk much. He’s very serious during training. We didn’t work together much. But I learned by watching him and trying to replicate his movements: he has a lot of ‘presence’ in goal, he seems to occupy all the space. Plus, he’s always very focused.”
Vasquez arrived at Milan in January 2023, brought in by Paolo Maldini and Frederic Massara. “They showed they knew me,” Vasquez recalls. “They said they had signed me for my qualities, they were convinced I would improve further, but they made no promises. I was bought for the first team, months later I asked Maldini to play with the Primavera because I wanted to experience an Italian football match.”
After his time at Milan, Vasquez had loan spells at Sheffield Wednesday and Ascoli before landing at Empoli. On his experience in England, he notes, “In England, they’re disorganized. They score a lot of goals because they’re not too organized. They run up and down, only vertically.”
Comparing his experiences, Vasquez adds, “At Empoli, everyone understands what D’Aversa asks for. And I came in from the start with a different mentality.”
Vasquez credits his improved performances to a change in mentality and approach. “I arrived with a different mindset, with the desire to achieve more and more. I make better use of training than in the past, and with each passing day I feel stronger and more confident.”
When asked about his idols, Vasquez mentions Iker Casillas: “Iker Casillas was the first. He’s different from me too, but I liked his way of being in goal. He was the one who illuminated me: watching him, I decided that when I grew up I would be a goalkeeper.”
Vasquez expresses his love for Italy, which began during a youth tournament in Viareggio in 2017. “I immediately liked everything: the sea, the people, your passion for football, the food. I’m crazy about risottos, especially parmesan and saffron.”
Looking to the future, Vasquez is ambitious but grounded. “Seven games are few to deserve a big club, but yes, the way I am now I feel ready. Milan is both a goal and a dream. Who wouldn’t want to play for one of the best clubs in the world?”
