Ricardo Pepi has always had that striker thing, that belief that the ball will eventually fall where it needs to. Miss one, move on. The next one is coming kind of thing.
That sort of calm feels central to Pepi, especially off the back of his most prolific season yet as a professional, bagging 16 goals for a title-winning PSV side.
Pepi, though, talks about goals like they’re a natural instinct and confidence as something that he's been born with. He also delves into his experiences growing up Mexican-American, leaving home early, figuring out Europe the hard way, and carrying all of that into the shirt he now wears for the U.S.
There’s a lot wrapped up in Pepi’s story: family, identity, pressure, risk, timing. He’s still young, but he doesn’t really speak like a 23-year-old. More like someone who already knows the journey has cost him something, and that the next step might make all of it make sense.
With a first World Cup on the horizon, Pepi is open about not trying to be the loudest name in the room, but instead trying to be in the right place at the right time. As ever.
You’ve scored goals your whole life. When did it stop being fun and start feeling serious?
Honestly, I don’t think it’s ever stopped being fun. As a striker you always want to be in the right place at the right time, and there’s no better feeling than scoring a goal. You really can’t beat that feeling.
How has your Mexican-American heritage shaped the way you see the game?
They’re two different cultures, but in a way they’re also very similar. Growing up in a Mexican home, with a lot of Mexican family around, you learn that everything is about working hard. If you want something, you go for it and you never stop dreaming. On the American side, there’s this mentality that there are no limits. Whatever you want, you can work for it and achieve it. I feel really lucky to have both cultures, and to represent the country I represent now while also representing my family.
You moved to Europe at a young age. What did that experience teach you about yourself?
It makes you mature very quickly. Suddenly you don’t have your family around you, your mom, your dad, doing things for you. At some point you realise you have to take care of everything yourself. That change in mentality helps you grow, both as a person and as a player.
What’s been the loneliest moment in your football journey?
Probably when I first moved to Germany. It was my first move to Europe and I went by myself. I wasn’t playing as much either, so life was a bit difficult at that time. But I knew it was an obstacle I had to get through. I just kept pushing, kept working hard, and eventually things started getting better. In the end it all worked out.
Strikers live off instinct. Where does yours come from?
I think it’s just natural. Instinct isn’t really something you can teach. It’s about being in the right place at the right time, knowing where the ball is going to fall. I think that’s something you’re born with. You can’t really teach a striker where to be.
When you miss a chance, what happens inside your head?
I look at it as being one step closer to the next goal. I know myself. I’m an efficient striker. If I miss one chance, I know another one will come, and that I’m getting closer to scoring the goal I want.
Every time you put on the shirt there’s expectation. Does that fuel you or weigh on you?
It definitely fuels me. I wake up every day wanting to chase my dreams and represent my family. Being able to put on that jersey is a dream come true, so I can’t complain. It pushes me to keep going.
What’s the biggest risk you’ve taken in your career so far?
Moving to Europe. That decision really shaped who I am today and where I am in my career. A lot of people are scared to leave their family and move so far away, but I knew I had dreams I wanted to chase. If I hadn’t made that decision, I don’t know if I’d be here today.
What does confidence look like to you? Is it loud or quiet?
For me it’s quiet. If I’m confident, I’m not going around telling people I’m confident. I just focus and let my game show it.
When you picture yourself at the World Cup, what do you see?
I see myself in a huge stadium, playing in front of the crowd, representing our country with my family there watching. That’s the picture in my head.
Do you feel like you’re writing your own story, or continuing one?
I feel like I’m writing my own story. There haven’t been many Mexican-Americans representing the U.S. national team, so I want to make my own mark. I want to open the door for future generations and inspire others to chase their dreams.
If people really understood you, what might surprise them most?
Probably how mature I am. Sometimes I forget my own age. I take my work seriously and I really listen when people give advice or criticism that can help me improve. I try to understand people and keep learning, both as a player and as a person.
In the best way, what makes you a wild card?
My efficiency on the pitch and the way I work for my teammates. As a striker, my job is to score goals and I take that responsibility seriously. I focus on being efficient and doing what the team needs.
If your career so far has been one wild ride, what’s the wildest chapter still to come?
The World Cup. It’ll be my first one, so that’s definitely going to be a huge moment. But I feel like I still have a lot to give to the game. I want to become the best version of myself and see how far I can go. There’s still a lot of football ahead of me and hopefully many more World Cups to come.
