Diego López, the 40s recipe: “Work, perseverance and passion”

Espanyol TV cameras followed him from the first second in training in the morning at the Ciudad Deportiva. Diego López was the protagonist of the day. It is not usual for a footballer to remain active at 40 years of age, so his teammates have not stopped congratulating him and making jokes, like the classic tunnel. Raúl de Tomás has embraced him, like one of his teachers Tommy N’Kono. It was a different morning between the gray game of Getafe and the opportunity to enter the top ten against Granada on Saturday.

“It is not usual to play at 40 years old. I am happy and grateful for everyone’s affection. I am happy to reach this number in active role in a great club like Espanyol,” he commented after the Galician, who has lived a long and successful career , with few challenges to meet. One of the captains is waiting for him to still be sane for a while. “I hope I have many more games left and I encourage people to continue encouraging us to have a good season,” he pointed.

Those who have shared a dressing room with the former goalkeeper of Real Madrid, Milan, Villarreal or Seville their professionalism and dedication stand out. He himself considers that this has been the key to success and having prolonged his career at such a good level: “One always wants to do better. I am keen on what has been achieved except for some things that we all know. We have to look forward. I think the key is work, perseverance and passion for what you do. I have always had enthusiasm and ambition, I have wanted to enjoy training and to demand of me from my colleagues “.

The goalkeeper also highlighted the invisible training and emotional stability off the pitch. “I wanted to enjoy the field and then take care of myself, be a professional, I think that is what has given me this possibility”, he pointed. “I also want to thank my family, who help me, I consider myself a lucky person and today is a day to spend with them and look back and remember,” he stressed.

Diego López is together with Leandro Cabrera the footballers who have participated in all the minutes of the championship. With 44 saves he is the goalkeeper who leads this classification and with 13 conceded goals he is the seventh that has received the most, although Espanyol is the eighth team that has received the least.