Yes, it is a certain someone’s birthday today. AS and Marca both celebrated with him, and I’m celebrating with all of you by translating those interviews. Later on, if I can find them, I’ll try and post some pictures of Iker I’ve taken throughout the years.
These are the highlights of part II of the Marca interview.
Is Mourinho the same person with you all as the one he appears to be to the outside?
No, those images have nothing to do with each other. But that’s not saying that to the outside, he’s a bad person. He is how he is, he has his personality, his way of being and he’s helped us all a lot. It’s been gratifying and a relief to have the players relegated to the background. And then on the inside, I’ve seen things about him that I’ve never seen in other people. I don’t want to say that he’s better or worse than other coaches. From the time he came, he wanted all of us to be one family, and he’s achieved that.
And how are you doing as the oldest child of this family?
With each day that’s passed, I’ve become more content with him. The relationship we have is frankly very good. What I’ve tried to do is help everyone, and to instill in them what this club means. We’re a fairly young team, with an average age of less than 25 years, and sometimes we have to demand more maturity. I believe this season has been good for them because they’ve lived through a real experience.
[It’s strange for me to see Iker talking like this, because I still remember him as the 18-year-old who burst onto the scene in 1999. This is how I remember Iker]:
Out all the young players who joined this season, who surprised you the most?
Di María had some incredible games. He’s always showed up for the most important games. He’s a very good player. He not only works hard, but he also runs and pressures, as well as scores goals. Õzil has also impressed me, he’s another fantastic player who the fans are enamored of. He’s a phenomenon. Marcelo is also young and he’s had a great season, but we’ve seen him grow up and that’s why I wasn’t too surprised. But it’s true that he’s improved a lot and he’s been great. He and Cristiano Ronaldo have a great understanding on the left wing. Together, they’ve done a lot of damage.
What do you think about the signing of Nuri Sahin?
I’ve watched some of his games in the Bundesliga and he had a fantastic season. He’s a good footballer, young, and I’m sure he will be good for us because he has quality. It’s not easy to triumph in German football.
What are your thoughts on Cristiano Ronaldo and his record breaking 39 goals?
To me, it’s incredible that he’s scored 39 goals. If I were him, I wouldn’t know what to think, because after scoring so many goals it’s not normal that we didn’t win the Liga. He’s shown that he’s a player with very impressive conditions.
Does it bother you all that in some games, during some plays, he’s made a fuss or gestures towards his teammates on the field?
I’ve spoken with him and there’s nothing wrong. We also know that there are two or three cameras following him during each game. Cristiano is the reference of this team, the flagship, and I can only say he’s a winner. It’s happened to me a lot too, that I’ve been caught with a frown or a scowl. The good thing about Cristiano Ronaldo is that he always wants to win.
Why do we always see the same people celebrating with Cristiano?
I don’t know. Marcelo, Pepe and Cristiano get along very well, they’re together the entire day, joking around. Each one is how he is. There are more serious ones, such as Xabi Alonso, and those who like to joke around. Each one brings his personality to the team.
Are you less motivated now after winning so many titles?
No. My goal now is to win my fifth Liga, my third Champions, my second Copa del Rey… I have the same illusion as I did on my first day, the same desire to improve, to lift up titles, to make history with Real Madrid. I’m recharged to begin a new season. I have a lot of confidence in myself and my teammates.
And the Ballon d’Or?
That will come only if it wants to come. At the moment, I have a Zamora trophy, which I like a lot. I’m more preoccupied with winning titles on the collective level than the individual level.
What do you think about Raúl’s German adventure?
It’s incredible. He seems to be five years younger, with all the goals he’s scored. He’s been a semifinalist in the Champions and he’s on the verge of winning a trophy. We’re very happy for him in the locker room, that he’s still an elite player.
And in good news for everyone (except maybe Adán, Mejías, Pacheco, etc.), Iker also said this:
The position of goalkeeper is not as physically demanding as that of a field player. If you have a good head on your shoulders and you take care of yourself, you can play until you’re 40, like César, Ricardo or Palop. Being the goalkeeper of Real Madrid requires a lot of sacrifice, but I like this challenge. I feel better now than I did two or three years ago.
Meanwhile, AS also celebrated Iker’s birthday several days ago, when he went to their offices.
When they presented him with a cake, he said, “who would have thought it, 30 years already!” He later said, “right now I feel better than ever. I’m thinner, I take better care of myself, I know what foods I should eat…” The article says, “it seems like just yesterday when he was taken out of art class to travel with the first team to Norway. He was 16 years old. At the age of 18, he debuted in San Mamés and when he was 19, he won the Champions.”
Iker also spoke about winning the only title he was missing, the Copa del Rey: “the road to the Copa del Rey was not easy. We had to eliminate the champion and the runner-up. Of the final, what can I say. It was a different game. The presence of the fans, the fan zone, the excitement of the people… and of course, everything is much better when you win. Did I know that the king was holding onto me when I lifted up the Cup? Of course I knew. He’s always been very affectionate with me.”
I wonder if the king will wish the national treasure a happy birthday?
