Wesley Gassova Ribeiro Embraces New Journey with Real Sociedad

Wesley Gassova Ribeiro revealed during his introductory presentation as a new player for Real Sociedad that his former teammate Iñigo Martínez, whom he played with at Al-Nassr, encouraged him to join the club. The Brazilian forward made his debut at San Mamés and has quickly noted the faster-paced, more physical style of play in LaLiga, prompting him to focus on getting into shape as soon as possible.

Arriving at Real Sociedad from Al-Nassr, Wesley confirmed in an interview with MARCA that his discussions with Iñigo about the club were influential. “Some time ago, my agents informed me of the opportunity to come here, and I was thrilled, as my dream was to play in a top European league. I did speak with Iñigo, a great friend of mine; we often played cards together, and he had wonderful things to say about Real Sociedad—how it’s a great club with a fantastic stadium, excellent training facilities, and a beautiful city.”

When asked about his initial experiences, Wesley expressed his appreciation for the warm reception from his new teammates. “I must thank all the players; I felt at home from day one. I appreciate it. The group is very united and happy, and I also enjoyed the welcome from everyone at the club and the stadium, which is very beautiful.”

Wesley made his debut at San Mamés, where he faced challenges, including a red card issued to Brais Méndez and the equalizing goal from Athletic. He reflected on the match with self-critique, stating, “We were performing well and aimed to win, but then that red card, which I believe was unjust, changed everything. It was a contact situation between the two players, and at most, it deserved a yellow card. Following that, we conceded a goal, and I think I could have contributed a bit more defensively in that situation.”

Post-derby, Matarazzo mentioned that Wesley still has work to do to reach peak condition. “I’ve noticed the difference in gameplay; it’s more dynamic and physical here. I need to work hard to get fit soon so I can help the team. We have another important match in two days, and I hope to improve and contribute to achieving our goals—advancing far in the Cup and returning to Europe through LaLiga. ‘Poliki, poliki’—we need to chase victories to accomplish that.”