Taking advantage of the weekend that Pellegrini given to his players at Christmas, Iker Losada took the opportunity to return home, inside Galiciaand attend a very special event hosted by Skechersa brand to which he gives his image in the field where he started playing football as a child, alongside young young players. Katira. He gave an interview there MARK: where he opened up about his arrival Betishis relationship Pellegrini and the stars of the team and their future plans.
Ask: Starting with the event in Catoira, we imagine how special it must be for you to return to the pitch where you started playing as a child…
Answer:. Yes, the truth is that it is a pleasure. After all, I know most of them from walking around Katoira, and they come to greet me, because the truth is, it’s a pleasure. Thanks to Skechers who made this all possible.I come here every summer to shoot some shots with my brother and now let me come with them, the truth is it’s crazy, a joy, really and in record time, so unbeatable , indeed.
Q: What advice do you have for kids who would definitely like to follow your path and make it to professional football?
R:. Well, I told you that the only advice I can give you is to keep enjoying football, don’t get carried away with the desire to get to a big club, enjoy it, work, which is the most important thing, and keep being yourself. That’s the most beautiful part of the journey is working and continuing to be yourself, which is also the hard part.
The Galician playmaker talks about his move to Benito Villamarin after winning the Second Division with Racing de Ferrol.
Q: It’s been a year of big changes for you, from winning at Racing de Ferrol, in the Second Division, to making a giant step up to a top European team like Betis, how is the whole process going?
R:. Well, the truth is, very well, I thought it would cost me a lot more to eventually adapt to what you said, from the second division, like Racing, to a club like Betis, one of the “best” from Spain, that we play three tournaments and want to fight for three. It’s a pride that we continue to grow together, that from the first moment they help me to continue to improve, to continue to grow every day, and to me it’s a huge thrill and happiness to be there.
H. Being a very homebody, what motivated you to make such a big change in your life, leaving your home, your family and friends?
R:. Being brave, really. I think both my family and I consider ourselves very at home, very similar to being in Galicia, used to what we do. Being at home with our grandma is honestly what we love. But hey, you had to be brave. After all, it was an opportunity that could not be missed. When “Betis” calls you, it’s impossible not to say. And much less with the dream that I had to reach the First Division, the goal that I had from a young age, when I was playing here, when I was five years old, very difficult. was to say no to them, and much less to the people I should try it with.
Iker Losada trains with the youth players of Catuira
Ask: Of all the things you found at Betis, what surprised you the most?
Answer:. Well, everyone’s closeness, really. I think both the players and the coaching staff and the board are very close-minded people who want the best for you, because ultimately it’s good for them. And above all that. I think the fact that you work every day with people who love to work with you and who love to be with you, well, I think that’s the most beautiful thing about this step.
H. And about the city: Was it difficult for you to adjust to Seville, where life is very different from Galicia?
R:. No, the only thing that stuck out to me was the weather. It was hot until a week ago, but whatever. The truth is that Seville is a city that makes you happy to live there, it’s a very happy city, very colorful, very fun to walk around. both by location, by area. And well, you all know I love the rain and the cold and everything, but hey, I’m adjusting pretty well.
The Galician talks to Isco and Lo Celso about his daily life, Pellegrini’s advice and not leaving Betis.
Question: In a recent interview, you recalled that on your debut day for Celta, after scoring against Real Madrid, your biggest concern, rather than celebrating it, was getting hold of Isco’s shirt in the locker room, were you able to remind them?
R:. No, no, I haven’t reminded you yet. I still need to remind you of a few things. But yes, Isco was always above my head from the first moment. Well, he calls me baby, I’m his baby, so there’s a sense of pride in asking for the shirt, and after that he just calls me “my baby” and is all over me all day. I can keep working. to continue to trust myself, to continue to believe that I will achieve great things. Well, the truth is that it is a great source of pride for me and my entire family.
K. Isco has been absent for a long time due to that complicated injury, but now he is working with the group for several weeks. What’s it like to be able to train closely with a player who was your childhood idol?
R:. Well, imagine, in the early days I didn’t want to get too close in case something bad happened, but now you’re getting closer and it doesn’t matter how close you get because he’s going to leave you. He is a very different player, I want to learn a lot from him, I want to continue to grow as a player and as a person, and I have the best example in front of me, so both him and Gio, who they are. playing in my position are people who are very close who show every day that they want to be the best and I learn from them. They are the best example that could have been given to me, also when Nabil was there , and I want to continue to grow as a player and, as I told you, I have the best role model in them, so it’s a lot easier.
The Betis midfielder is taking part in the event at his home town as a sports brand character
H. January is a month of change, many players are looking outside for the minutes they may not have in their teams.Do you prioritize playing more or do you think the learning you experience at Betis is more important? important to your evolution as a soccer player.
R:. No, no, I already said, I’m very happy where I’m at, obviously all the players want to play the minutes they give us, but I’m very happy, I’m very proud of my work that I have to to continue on this path, and I’m in the best place to do it.
Ask: Pellegrini is a very special coach, maybe he doesn’t talk too much to the players, but he insists on some key aspects for them to improve their game.
Answer:. The coach asks me to continue being myself, after all he likes players who have that nerve, he likes quality people who always want the ball, and that’s what he asks of me. He asks me to be myself, to catch the ball and to enjoy that at the end of the day if I enjoy the ball that’s when I play at my best and I think at the end of the day the important thing is that the coach talks to you and says to you what he wants you to improve because in my case it’s to strengthen because I think it’s important and I’m very happy that he comes to me every day and tells me to do it or do that, because it means that you are doing well and that he is looking for you.
Iker Losada in a meeting with the youth players of Catoira
Q: Everyone knows Betis, but seeing it from the outside is not the same as experiencing it from the inside.How would you explain to someone outside what this club really is?
R:. Well, the truth is that it’s a special feeling, I believe that all the people who follow Betis and all of us inside the club see that it’s an illusion for everyone to do everything well. It is no longer based on winning or losing, but the whole excitement of the work behind it is a source of pride. And I think it is very important that we continue on this path, that we continue to enjoy everything that we do. And then, look, I don’t have to tell people what Betis is, but everyone sees it, it’s a way of life, and we show it every day by bringing 55,000 people to the pitch, which is not normal people come, encourage, hug, give love, support, if they have to tell something, they say it, it’s pride and they are our main inspiration.
H. Finally, what does it mean to you that a major brand like Skechers, with Harry Kane as their brand ambassador, has trusted you as a character to enter the football equipment market?
R:. To me, honestly, it means that it’s a brand that has the value of saying, not only look for experienced people and who have impressive careers like Harry Kane, but also the fact that you’re a player who has potential. We’re going to give you a chance because we believe you deserve it and… Everyone dreams of being sponsored by a brand like Skechers because for me it’s is proud and the most important thing is that they start, and that as soon as they start, they hope that you will do such things, which for me is one of the most beautiful things that they have done in my life, because the truth is that it is impressive :