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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="betting-e2">{"type":"betting-e2","data":{"key":{"mobile":"fb9f812b41240655c161bb3d4ad2cf3f","desktop":"671024543858da3e0dfea5d9450ab1a4"}}}</script><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>American frontman starring in the Netherlands</li><li>Is a big fan of Mexican frontman Jimenez</li><li>Likens himself to Spain international</li></ul>

USMNT star Ricardo Pepi reveals ex-Chelsea & Real Madrid striker to be surprising source of inspiration

<p>The exciting 20-year-old forward is in the process of trying to forge his own reputation as a fearsome frontman in European football. He <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/news/usmnt-pepi-big-boys-transfer-friedel-january/blt5a96ee208f7a2c10" target="_blank">left FC Dallas for Augsburg in Germany</a> back in 2022, but burst into life last season when <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/news/usmnt-ricardo-pepi-rediscovered-form-relegated-groningen-overrun-hooligans/blt2a30df31379c2cfa " target="_blank">hitting 13 goals during a productive loan spell at Groningen</a>. Pepi is back in the Netherlands for 2023-24, having <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/news/usmnt-star-ricardo-pepi-trophy-target-psv-eredivisie-five-year-contract/bltd39abae0165faa4b" target="_blank">completed a transfer to PSV</a>, and has already opened his account for the Eredivisie giants.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Asked on the <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/celebrity-row-at-lafc-and-usmnt-kickoff-with-ricardo/id1696346528?i=1000627093795" target="_blank"><em>Offside with Taylor Twellman</em></a> podcast to name those that he tries to model his own game on, Pepi said: “I used to be a big Ronaldo fan, but I also used to watch a lot of Raul Jimenez – he was one of my idols growing up. Now I watch players like Alvaro Morata, who I feel is similar to my playing style a little bit. Of course you want to watch players like Erling Haaland, who is always scoring. I like to watch a lot of players.”</p>

WHAT THEY SAID

<p>Pressed further on why he looks up to Spain international Morata, who is currently <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/news/explained-why-spain-made-alvaro-morata-captain-when-barcelona-players-might-reclaim-international-armband/blte2e0103e8cff4919 " target="_blank">back at Atletico Madrid and proving to be a useful source of goals</a> for them, Pepi added: “Just the way we move on the pitch. We aren’t the fastest player or the strongest player, but we somehow manage to find space in the box and score goals. I feel like I compare myself pretty well to him. When it comes to scoring goals, I feel like he is a very effective player.”</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Pepi has found a way of being effective himself, with <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/news/ricardo-pepi-usmnt-competition-folarin-balogun-better-player/blt222135ceed1f5a40" target="_blank">16 caps and seven goals for the USMNT</a> to his name, and hopes to use PSV as a stepping stone en route to the very top of the game in Europe. He said of his <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/news/appreciate-kante-world-likes-flair-usmnt-reyna-pepi-demerit/bltf0df11ce5f8c9e73 " target="_blank">plans for the present and future</a>: “I feel like being at a club like PSV, I signed a five-year deal so it’s about patience and working every day trying to get better as a player. I feel like I’m at a club, PSV, that are known for making big transfers of players, of having players go to the big clubs. I feel like I’m in the right spot and I’m going to keep working until I get my opportunity.”</p>

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

USMNT star Ricardo Pepi reveals ex-Chelsea & Real Madrid striker to be surprising source of inspiration | Goal.com English Saudi Arabia

United States international Ricardo Pepi has named ex-Chelsea and Real Madrid star Alvaro Morata as his surprising source of striking inspiration.

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