As his World Cup campaign is set to get underway with Uruguay this week, Santi Bueno discusses his international memories before taking readers on his favourite travels around the globe.
First international memories
I remember my debut in the national team was against Japan, a friendly. It was a very special match for me because it was my debut with the senior national team, and to play in the national team and represent my country is something that is very important to me and was a dream that I had as a child.
Favourite goal
I’ve not scored many goals with the national team, but one was with the under-20s in the U20 World Cup against Portugal. I scored a goal with my head and we ended up tying the game 2-2. We went to a penalty shoot-out and I converted the last goal in the shoot-out which gave us the victory.
Watching World Cups
I have always watched the World Cup matches with my family and with my friends. We’ve always been a big football family, and my brother is a football player as well, so we would always watch the World Cup matches together and since I’ve got older, I would watch the games with my friends that are also footballers.
Playing at one
It’s my dream to be able to play the World Cup. To represent your country at a World Cup must be the maximum that a footballer can achieve. I was part of the Uruguay squad that qualified for the 2026 World Cup and it would be something very important for me to play in, so I worked here at Wolves to be given the chance to go with the national team at the end of the season.
Last country visited
During last summer I went on honeymoon with my wife to Africa and we loved it. It was a brilliant experience of going on a safari in the Serengeti, as well as going through its culture, knowing everything that is within reach of us. We very much liked Tanzania as a country and the closeness of the people. They were all very kind and made us feel very welcome.
First holiday abroad
My first holiday outside of Uruguay when I was younger was to America. I went to Disney in Orlando with my family and it was very beautiful. I really liked it and it was a very lovely experience that I got to experience with my parents and my brothers.
Favourite trip
My favourite place outside of Uruguay is Spain. I like it there very much. Culturally, it resembles my country quite a lot, and then with the food, the climate and the beaches – which I love. My favourite parts of Spain are the Balearic Islands, such as Ibiza, Menorca and Formentera.
Bucket list
I have travelled quite a lot thanks to football, and I have also travelled a lot with my wife, but I think that the next place both of us would like to visit is Tokyo. I’ve been before but that was just to play football, so I would like to go again as a tourist so I can get to know the city more from that side, and being accompanied by my wife would be perfect.
This article originally featured in Wolves' official 2025/26 matchday programme. Last season's programmes are still available to purchase online through retailers Curtis Sports.
