Javi Martínez: “I hope Athletic can return to Europe this year”

After nine years in the Bayern Munich, Javi Martínez left last July to the Qatar Sports Club. The midfielder was part of the best Spanish selection of history and a great Athletic Club. He was enjoying the final phase of the Arab Cup 2021 in Doha. He made his debut with the Qatar Sports Club last September and has already started as a pivot. He shared a team with Belaili, one of Algeria’s stars in the tournament.

The Navarrese attended AS and other means to discuss next year’s World Cup, the news of Athletic Club and the role of Luis Enrique in the National Team.

In less than a year the World Cup starts in Qatar. You have been here for a few months, how is the experience in the country being?

I am very happy with the decision to come here, it has been the right one both in sports and in the family. At the moment things are going very well, I cannot complain. The country is ready to host the World Cup, although it is obvious that they have things to improve. The Arab Cup has somewhat simulated the role of the Confederations. There are things to polish, but the World Cup is going to be a success.

And in sports, how are you doing at your club, Qatar SC? Is happy?

I am already very well acclimatized, which is the important thing. It’s a bit weird because for example it’s December now and it’s 20-25 degrees. The first months were very hard because it was very hot and difficult to bear. Now, however, the temperature is ideal for living. After 9 years of being very cold, now this is not bad.

Athletic de Marcelino has gone through a bad streak, but they are playing a good game. What analysis do you make of your season?

I see them very well. They are playing very good games and deserving more. In practically all the matches they have been superior and only lacked forcefulness in front of goal. Hopefully they start scoring goals and are where they deserve, which is higher than where they are now. They have a great squad.

What message would you send to the fans and the club?

Hopefully they can return to Europe, which is where they should be and have been away for a few years. It is a historic club and they deserve to do well this season and always. Also, of course, hopefully they can get the barge out.

Changing the subject, you were a world champion and enjoyed the Spanish National Team to the full. Now there is Unai Simón depending on the goal, another Athletic player. Are you seeing him well?

A goalkeeper has to know how to live with criticism. They have a somewhat lonely life, but they already know that. When they fail, their mistakes are more serious and more visible. However, Unai is a great goalkeeper and has a very good head, he knows how to deal with problems well. Athletic and the national team have a goalkeeper for a long time.

Finally, do you think that he has been unfair and has been criticized excessively?

We already know how this goes. As soon as a couple of results do not go well or the image is not what you want, you start to create some bad press. The important thing is that Luis Enrique knows how to handle that very well and has led the team very well and achieved very good results. There is a very good and very young Selection.