BY ANDREW MCSTEEN
Colombian duo Daniel Munoz and Jefferson Lerma have spoken about their pride after helping Crystal Palace win their first major silverware.
The Eagles beat Manchester City 1-0 at Wembley to win the FA Cup on Saturday.
“We were fighting and battling for this, and it wasn’t just anyone we beat – we beat a giant, Manchester City, a team that has won everything,” explosive wing-back Munoz told TNT Sports Mexico. “It’s even more satisfying. It brings more happiness and more joy. It was an exceptional job we did. We wrote our names in that golden book, and now we have to keep working for what’s next.
“Thanks to all these beautiful people (fans), they deserved it more than anyone. They supported us, believed in us. To our team-mates, who fought and battled – those who started, those who came on and those who were on the bench. This is family work. It’s more than a team, it’s a beautiful family,
“This is the reward for humble, transparent work and for day-to-day effort.”
An emotional Munoz broke down in tears during the interview, one which saw him dedicate his man of the match award to the whole team.
“I believe this award should say ‘Crystal Palace’ because the standout players were all of us. If a small piece wouldn’t have worked, we wouldn’t have shown this exceptional performance,” said the 28-year-old. “This makes one happy, upbeat, but it goes beyond an award because we all deserve it, all the ones who played and the ones who didn’t. I’m very happy.”
Munoz and Lerma became just the second and third Colombian players to play in an FA Cup final, coming after Luis Diaz, who won it with Liverpool in 2022. The first Colombian to be part of an FA Cup-winning side was Arsenal’s David Ospina, who was an unused substitute for Arsenal in 2015.
Munoz moved to SE25 from Belgium in the January 2024 transfer window, while Lerma became the first Colombian to play for the club after moving in the summer of 2023.
Both national team-mates, the pair have quickly become fans’ favourites and feel at home in South London, complete with their names in the history books.
“For us, this started as a dream and now it’s a reality – it fills us with pride. Croydon is Colombia,” said Lerma. “We congratulate every member of this team, the fans, the staff, the coaches, an endless list of people I’d like to name but it would be too long.
“We have to enjoy this to the fullest. God has rewarded us and given us the opportunity to leave our names in the history of Palace. We took it to another level.”
With thanks to Santiago Menichelli for translation.
PICTURE: KEITH GILLARD
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