Vero Boquete (1987, Santiago de Compostela) was and will be Spain's reference in the world of women's football. The Spanish, at 34 years old, continues to fight now in Calcio, in the ranks of Milan where next season she will play the Champions League again.
-You are successfully playing for Milan, how is the Italian competition?
I arrived with the season started, it was to arrive and adapt quickly to the objectives. The Italian league surprised me for good, it is becoming more and more competitive. I am happy to achieve the Champions League goal and disappointed that I did not win the Cup title. I am already motivated for the following season.
-He has just renewed and will continue in Milan
I am very motivated not only by the Champions League, by the team, by helping it continue to grow. Go back to a final, fight with Juve for the squad. It motivates me a lot.
-Is the same thing happening there with Juve as here with Barcelona?
Spain and Italy are very similar. In recent years there has been a lot of growth in Spain and in Italy as well, perhaps it has taken a little longer for the big clubs to enter. The league is becoming more and more competitive. Juve has been above, but the distances have been shortened.
“I am surprised by the culture of Calcio. You can tell that you are in a country where everyone follows football, it is breathed everywhere”
Gap
-Has something surprised you?
It is another style of play, it surprises me that it has just started as someone says and has a lot of following. Many tifosi who have been following us, it is a very good sign. I am surprised by the culture of Calcio, of football. You can tell that you are in a country where everyone follows football, it is breathed everywhere. The players know him very well.
-It would be very different when he was in Sweden …
All the Nordic countries were years ahead of us. When I was there it was the best league. Many of the best players were there. There was follow-up. It's a shame that country has become stagnant because there is not such a strong culture and there are no powerful clubs either.
-There he coincided with Marta, his great reference …
For me it is Maradona, Pelé or Messi. It has marked an era, the one that has given the most visibility and difference. I will remember it forever. At the moment luckily there are more references, each country has several.
-You were that reference for Spain. As was?
I lived it with happiness. They were important moments, the World Cup, difficult steps. For Spain it was a milestone, it took us a lot to open those doors. I know I had an important role.
“It is at the height of the greatest powers. Spain is a favorite for the next Euro and it will also be for the World Cup”
Gap
-They made history in that first World Cup in Canada, how do you remember it? Any resentment?
It remains for me not to have gone any further, but because of everything that happened afterwards, I think it was not up to us to go further. We did everything we could, at that moment it did not reach us. From there many changes have come. Now you can think about fighting for the title.
-Do you see Spain close to success?
I have been saying for years that it is very close. The talent is there. Now there is much more work and support, it has been taken to the highest level. It is at the height of the maximum powers. Spain is a favorite for the next Euro and it will also be a favorite for the World Cup.
-How did you experience the last game of the World Cup against the United States?
I lived it there, I was playing at that time in the US. With tension, with happiness to see that there are no differences. It marked a turning point, we have reached that level and now we have no one.
“I have been close to returning before renewing with Milan. I want to play the last years at the highest level in my country”
Gap
-The NWSL has dropped a bit …
Has had a year that has stopped. You have to think that the culture of football that exists in Europe is not there. It wasn't normal for the best league in the world to be there. The United States is a power, it has been the great reference. The great players wanted to come here and now they have returned, to try to be the reference again. I think it will be difficult. Physical ability is one of his qualities, but that can be matched. Knowledge does not.
-Which has been the team that has marked you the most?
Espanyol was the one that I felt the most inside. My time in America has driven me. With Frankfurt I won the Champions …
-What a year for Barcelona … will the squad continue with the same enthusiasm for winning?
There is always illusion, when you get used to winning you don't know not to. It is intractable. It is a clear example of what the investment does. He has invested more than the rest, it does not mean that the rest cannot, because almost all the First teams can afford it. It is the desire to want to do it. Before they were Lyon, PSG … now it will be difficult to get them out of there. The best players will be at Barcelona.
-Real Madrid has entered with force. See you upstairs soon?
It depends on what you want. The Barça fifteen years ago they played in second. It has not been overnight. Clearly, with the resources you have, you can do it much faster. We all celebrate the arrival of Madrid, or United… Hopefully everyone will.
-Will you return to Primera Iberdrola?
Sure, never say never. I have been close to returning before renewing with Milan. I want to play the last years at the highest level in my country. Hopefully I can come back, I've always said I want to end here.
-Does Alexia deserve the Ballon d'Or or The Best?
Of course I see it possible, Barça has won the Champions League and if Spain fights for the Euro or the World Cup, the players will fight for these awards as well. We know that these awards have been very popular. As much Alexia as Jenni or any other of the Barça they deserve it.