It's 12:30 and I arrive at the Ciudad Deportiva de Las Rozas, a bit lost, it must be said, as it was my first time there. Luckily, my colleagues from El Desmarque, who are more experienced, were able to help me find the interview area.
We arrive at the tent area where the players of the senior team will be interviewed by other colleagues. It is full of journalists, cameras, microphones... There is a calm atmosphere in a Federation that is not so calm from the offices.
But anyway, we're on our way. While we wait, we take a look at the interviews with Robin Le Normand and Marc Cucurella , two great guys without a doubt. Our moment arrives and the head of the press for the U-21s guides us to the place assigned for the interview.
Alejandro Iturbe, exclusively
Alejandro, first of all, thank you very much for giving us an interview, for taking the time to talk to us. Congratulations on both winning gold at the Olympic Games and on your birthday. Have you made any special wishes for this birthday?
Thank you very much. Yes, I have asked for some, but it is not stated that if not, it will not be fulfilled.
In the video posted by the federation, you were at the table blowing out the candles and Juanlu and Samu were sitting next to you. Are they your best friends from the national team?
Yes, and with Pablo too. In the end, I've been sharing many moments with Juanlu for many years. I've gotten along very well with Samu, I feel very good and with Pablo for a lifetime.
Regarding Samu, have you been able to talk about what happened to him in the whole Porto-Atleti situation? Do you think he is doing well, do you think he is focused?
Well, he is happy, he is fine and whatever is best for him, I am very happy.
Before we get into the subject of the national team, a couple of questions that have made me curious. Have you always wanted to be a goalkeeper?
Yes, I have been since I was very young, well, since I joined Atleti, when they asked me what I wanted to play, I said goalkeeper. I think it runs in the family, because my grandfather, who passed away three months before I was born, was a goalkeeper and, well, I think he left me that legacy.
And have you always had the number 13 on your back?
No, it has been changing, I don't really care, but well, now this season for example, I'm going to wear number 1.
Now, getting into the subject of Olympic gold, in an interview you did before the Olympics on Telemadrid, you were very convinced that you were going to win gold. Why such a strong conviction?
Well, I saw the group, how we trained, how we got along off the field. In the end, that's what we were aiming for, to win gold, and when you aim and dream big, you achieve great things.
And during that time in Paris, was there a moment when you said, 'Be careful, there are a lot of possibilities here and we might win gold'?
Well, I think we grew, it's true that we had that game against Egypt where things didn't go well for us. But then when the knockout rounds came I think we were solid against Japan and we saw that we could really do it. I think we also saw a team against Morocco, how we came back and the same with France.
You just mentioned two games, the one against Egypt and the one against Morocco. Despite losing the game against Egypt, you and Mosquera played a pretty good game, and then Juanlu and Camello were very important for winning the Olympic gold medal. How do you manage to, despite being in that reserve group, maintain the desire to be important and contribute to the team?
Well, what the coach said, we were all part of the team and in the end it's about being ready for when the moment comes. If it comes, you have to be ready to help the team. In the end we all had an incredible atmosphere and we all tried to help when it was time.
Looking ahead to the 2025 European Championship, a win would see you qualify as the first team. The first leg was very difficult against Scotland, if I'm not mistaken, with a goal in the 83rd minute. How do you expect this match to go, in the 6th minute?
Well, it's going to be very tough, I think it's going to be decided by details, they're going to put us under pressure for sure. But I think we're ready to go for the three points first, and then for the other three in Hungary.
In terms of Atlético de Madrid, you have been with the club since you were six years old and this will be your sixteenth season in red and white, after renewing until 2027. During this time you have experienced two consecutive promotions and many experiences. What is the next step? To establish yourself in the first team, perhaps first as Oblak's substitute and then as a starter?
Well, that's my dream, isn't it? Since I joined the club, to establish myself in the first team. This year I hope we have a very good season with Fernando in the reserve team and hopefully, of course, it's my dream to be in the first team.
Are you excited that Fernando Torres is the coach?
Yes, of course. We are all excited to see how one of the club's greatest idols wants to help the boys and train us for what is to come.
What is the difference as a coach, because you had Fernando in the youth team, between Tevenet and Fernando Torres or what similarity or difference is there between both?
Well, I think they are two great coaches who know the club well, who have been at the club. In the end, they try to instil in us the values that the club has and in that they are very similar.
And throughout your career, both at Atlético and with the national team, who has been the coach who has had the greatest impact on you? That is, this is the one who has given me advice, his way of training, his charisma.
I have had many very good ones. But if you push me, if I have to choose one, I'll choose Fernando. In the end, he's been an idol for me since I was very young and learning from him on a daily basis is a real privilege.
Let's finish with a quick questionnaire. Ten little questions, just like that, 'TikToker'.
- Tell me a virtue of yours. Passion.
- A defect? Stubbornness.
- A song? Barbie from the outskirts, by Melendi.
- A movie? 300.
- A meal? Pasta carbonara.
- A city? Madrid.
- An idol? Fernando Torres.
- A superstition? Always enter the field with the right foot.
- A dream to fulfill? Playing for Atlético de Madrid's first team.
- Between the Champions League or the World Cup, which do you prefer? Ugh, both, both.
- A person you would like to play with? Messi.
- And just meet a person you would like to meet in the world, not just in football? Ilia Topuria.
Well, Alejandro, thank you very much for speaking to us and, well, all the best in the world in these two qualifying matches that you have left and in this season with Atleti.
Thank you very much.