Luis Muriel admits he got it wrong at Udinese, is reborn at Sampdoria and Sinisa Mihajlovic made him “burst into tears.”

The Colombian sat down with La Gazzetta dello Sport’s magazine Sportweek to discuss his topsy-turvy career.

“When someone is happy, he has a clear head and is fortunate enough to play in a squad like this, everything comes naturally,” said Muriel.

Luis Muriel admits he got it wrong at Udinese, is reborn at Sampdoria and Sinisa Mihajlovic made him “burst into tears.”

The Colombian sat down with La Gazzetta dello Sport’s magazine Sportweek to discuss his topsy-turvy career.

“When someone is happy, he has a clear head and is fortunate enough to play in a squad like this, everything comes naturally,” said Muriel.

“It wasn’t just Mihajlovic who convinced me to change, but I changed my own mentality. I realise the last 18 months at Udinese were bad. I had misunderstandings with Francesco Guidolin, there was gossip about my weight, my injuries and I was on the bench so much.

“I needed to start afresh in every aspect, including the way I stepped on to the field. Now I don’t even realise how much I run.”

“I am the first to blame for what happened at Udinese. I don’t deny that. I was accustomed to always playing and not doing so consistently seemed to switch off a light in my head. I let go and it was tough to find myself again.

“I got it wrong, but so many things had happened by then that there was no point staying. I had lost the plot and not getting called for the World Cup was the final blow. It would’ve been incredible to play that tournament in Brazil.”

Muriel joined Sampdoria in January, though negotiations dragged on and he even failed a medical.

“Mihajlovic asked to meet with me before I’d signed the contract. He said to me: ‘I want you to smile again. With me, you’ll become the champion they are all waiting for.’

“I never imagined I’d hear those words. I felt wanted and, after such a long time, proud. When I told my agent Alessandro Lucci, I burst into tears.

“Mihajlovic makes everyone feel important and happy, even those who don’t play. You just need to see how they celebrate on the touchline when there’s a goal.

“This is the secret of Mihajlovic and of Sampdoria.”

Muriel also revealed that teammate Samuel Eto’o was impressed with him.

“In the first training session he said: ‘Wow, you are fast!’ He is the complete player. Compared to me he might not move or be on the ball as much, but every time he touches the ball, he’s decisive.”

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