Miguel Baeza (Córdoba, 2000) He spent eight years in the quarry of the Real Madrid and his goal of debuting in the first team left him parked when last summer he received a call from Celtic. From Vigo came a proposal that his coach Raul Gonzalez encouraged him to accept. At the moment, he is not having the minutes he would like, but this versatile playmaker radiates optimism. Does not even rule out complying his dream of success dressed in white.
When were you last at the Santiago Bernabéu?
If I remember correctly … in the Celta draw that Santi Mina scored at 2-2. See what a coincidence.
That game was played months before his signing. Was there already interest on the part of Celta?
There was nothing. That game was in February and I met Celta's interest months later, during the summer. I went to the Bernabéu to see how the game was going, to see if Madrid won and I find myself with a draw. That was the panorama.
Did you think you had a chance to debut with the first team?
If I tell you the truth, of course I do. In the end it is the goal of any kid who is in ‘La Fábrica’. I arrived when I was 12 years old, I started from low to raise teams and I find that I am in Castilla, from time to time going up to train with the first team. Zidane was the coach and I had the goal and the hope. It could not be, but I am left with a great route.
Were you surprised that a Primera team took an interest in you and were willing to pay 2.5 million for half of your rights?
Very much, honestly. I knew that that year I had to do another great season in Second B, like the one I was completing until the pandemic cut us off, to see if an opportunity like this would come out, a great Second Division team or something like that. I remember that the weekend that Celta arose I was preparing the Youth League with Raúl, because it was going to resume after the pandemic, I was with my parents at home and I received the call from my agent. He told me that Celta de Vigo loved me and there were three seconds in that call that I didn't know what to say to him, if I was hesitating. I discussed it with my parents and they didn't believe it. Neither do I. It is the greatest thing that can happen to you.
“When my agent told me that Celta wanted me I thought I was hesitating”
What did Raúl say to him?
I went to talk to him because we had a very good relationship. He told me to take the opportunity because in the world of football you never know. Just as I took the train when I was twelve years old to venture out and go to Madrid, to live alone in the residence, I had to be brave and bet on this option. I think I have done well.
How is Raúl as a coach?
One word: requirement. He tries to get the most out of each player and he does it in every training session, right from the start of the session. We did the typical rondo to warm up, in which the footballer usually goes little by little and then gets into training, but with Raúl you had to be involved from the beginning. If you didn't, it would make you run. Then you think coldly at home and he's right because you're at Real Madrid, in one of the biggest clubs in the world, and you have to take advantage of the first minute of training. They are things that you value later
“Raúl is demanding, try to get the most out of the warm-up round”
Has coming to Vigo been a good decision despite the lack of minutes?
Yes. Every soccer player wants to play as much as possible, but they are decisions of the coach and being 20, 21 or 22 years old, I know what there is. I'm here to add the minutes that the coach gives me and I'm working on it.
Why hasn't it come out this summer?
It is true that options to leave arose. Zaragoza and some other second team were there. However, Celta trusted me and the coach as well, even if they don't count on the minutes that each player thinks they should have, and I know I have to work. We are a short staff and that is important. We all have to contribute to have a great year.
“It is true that this summer there were options to leave. There was Zaragoza and some other second team”
Has Coudet talked to you about adapting you to the left-back position?
The more positions a player adapts to, the more he enriches his game and the more possibilities he has to play. I am willing to act in the position that each coach puts me. If he places me there, it is because he believes that I can perform a lot and do well.
Why has Celta only had two shots on goal so far in LaLiga?
It is difficult to explain. We have a lot of potential up front, we are a very offensive team, but these are dynamic. Not before when we won last season were we the best, not now are we the least offensive team or anything. We have almost the same squad, removing three or four signings that we have made. The team is working very well and is looking forward to it
Do you see Real Madrid more vulnerable than in other years?
Real Madrid is a piece of the team, one of the best in the world. He is going to make things difficult for us because he really wants to return to the Bernabéu and play again in front of his audience. In addition, they have players of enormous talent, quality and wanting to win, which is what that club demands of you.
As a madridista, did you dream of signing Mbappé?
I wanted me to come, and not as a Real Madrid player, but to face the best. His signing would have given LaLiga and everyone who plays against Real Madrid one more bonus.
Of the homegrown players who are having minutes in the first team, which ones did you coincide with?
With the majority: Antonio Blanco, Marvin Park, Miguel Gutiérrez, Arribas… For them it was their first year at Castilla when we were preparing for the Youth League.
Gutiérrez is counting on the confidence of Ancelotti.
He is a very good player, a very offensive winger. He has a lot of quality and he is putting the batteries defensively, which was something that everyone blamed him. In the end, football is played with the ball and at Real Madrid you have it most of the time. He's seizing the opportunity, earning Ancelotti's trust.
“Miguel Gutiérrez is putting the batteries defensively”
And Blanco aims to start this day.
I hope it is. I have been playing with him since we were 5 or 6 years old because we are of the same generation. The two of us started playing for Seneca and we coincided at 'La Fábrica' in 2013. To face each other in the First Division would be a dream.
Real Madrid retain 50% of their rights. Do you think you can still wear white again?
If I remember correctly, this year is the last to have them. Going back is my goal, just like when I was at 'La Fábrica' I dreamed of wearing the white shirt of the first team. Soccer is very changeable. There are times when you have to go out and then come back as has happened to many people: Asensio, Carvajal… I am focused on doing things well with Celta and we will see what comes next.