Let's start with the Cup. His beloved Alcoyano and Navalcarnero, Granada's next opponent, are the cup sensations of the moment.
Alcoyano and Navalcarnero, the truth is that if they have come this far it is because they are doing things very well. Alcoyano lived a historic night for Alcoy. Being able to face Real Madrid and on top of it eliminate him, the truth is that it's amazing. Very happy because I have a friend there and it is the team from my city, where I came from. It has been Athletic's turn and hopefully it can happen. The pity is that people have not been able to go to enjoy the field. But hey. They have given them joy. And more in these times as is the COVID.
Be careful with the Navalcarnero.
Our tie is going to be very difficult because if they have arrived here it is because they are doing things very well. He eliminated Eibar, which is a very intense rival. It is going to be an intense, tough team with artificial grass. Another handicap. We will adapt and try to pass the tie, which will be very difficult.
Jorge Molina is the third oldest player in Primera only behind Nino (40 years) and Joaquín (39). What is your secret to being this good at 38?
You have to live for football. It's what I like the most. I try to do my best to continue enjoying this magnificent sport. You have to take good care of yourself and work. You have to maintain the illusion of going every day to train and play.
He signed for two seasons, until June 30, 2022. Do we have Jorge Molina for a while?
At the moment I feel very well. As long as the forces accompany, I have always said it, since what I like the most is playing soccer, we will continue to wage war. At the time that the forces do not accompany and cannot help the team, we will leave it. We will continue to enjoy. Later we would talk about it and surely there would be no problems. But we are going to live in the present.
How did coming to Granada come about?
The option of being able to come came up and I spoke with people to ask. All I received was good words, the atmosphere in the dressing room, the way the coaching staff worked, the facilities, the fans… we decided to come here. And very happy for the decision because I have been able to confirm all those things that they told me.
The fashion team.
The season is being historic. This is the first time we have competed in Europe, we have passed the group stage and now we have a very nice tie against a historic team, Naples. We are still alive in competitions and in the League we are at the top. It's so that people are very happy with the team's season.
Its beginning was difficult because of the coronavirus.
It was to start with a changed foot because it was the presentation and when they did the test to be able to train with the teammates, it came out positive. I was just finishing it and I hadn't even known about it. I did not have any symptoms. It was a setback at the time of starting because it was when the team went to Marbella for the stage (preseason) and I could not spend those days with the teammates, which would have been very good on a physical level and to meet the teammates, the work of the míster, the day to day and knowledge about the team. It went as it did and I was working at home and then I tried to adapt as quickly as possible. Both the teammates and the coaching staff made it very easy for me. The adaptation was quick.
Roberto Soldado told us that when he passed it he lost his taste for three days.
I did not notice symptoms. If it is true that almost at the end a little smell and taste. But nothing. I had no discomfort, no fever, or any symptoms that would indicate that it was positive.
The team has come back together even though COVID has struck to its core.
One of the team's values is that it knows how to overcome adversity. Whoever plays competes, does it well and helps the team. Between COVID and injuries we have had quite a few casualties. That entails playing three competitions. We are the team that has played the most games in Europe. They are many weeks playing Thursday and Sunday. That makes it easier for injuries to occur, but the team has always collapsed in the face of adversity and difficulty and always just as well.
The day of San Sebastián had to be hard. Seven professionals, eight subsidiaries and the rest of the staff, in quarantine.
That day was a bit of a surreal situation. We did not know if it was going to be played or not because there were not enough of us. In the end you plant there with boys from the youth team and youth that we had never seen yet because they had not even come to train with us. You stand there. You play, you compete and the team stood up to Real, which is one of the best football players this season. The team knows how to overcome everything.
Do you keep track of all the goals you have scored throughout your career?
I do not carry it personally. Two years ago they interviewed me in Alicante where they told me the goals of the five years I played in Third. And it was close to 300.
Race scorer. We remember his four goals with Elche in a match against Real Sociedad.
It was the last league game (2008-09 season in Second) and I was playing the Pichichi with Stuani, who was at Albacete and had a goal less than me. The game started and they told me he scored. Then I was lucky enough to score four goals, sentence and finish as Pichichi (he scored 26 goals).
With José Bordalás as coach.
We started with Claudio Barragán, but they fired him. Then Bordalás came and the team finished up. It was the last year without a playoff that they entered the following year. We finished sixth.
Is Bordalás so intense and demanding?
The truth is that if. Why am I going to cheat on him? He is a very demanding coach, he makes the most of you, but if you are receptive to his work and explanations you can learn a lot from him and he gets a lot out of you.
His transfer to Betis was controversial,
If it was controversial and caught me in the middle. Betis paid a transfer but it was when Lopera sold the shares to Luis Oliver and in the end they accepted the Bankruptcy Law and I think the payment was a little more complicated. I couldn't do anything there.
With Betis he experienced two promotions and both with Pepe Mel.
Pepe Mel has been, with Bordalás, the coach that has influenced me the most. The technicians have also been the technicians with whom I have spent the most time. Pepe has a different style of play and I learned to play in a different way. Rubén Castro played higher and I was more of the second striker. It seemed strange to me, but that made me grow as a footballer.
What a duo they formed!
We were together for six years. We both arrived at the same time. He scored many more goals than me, but between the two of us we have been the highest scoring couple in the history of Betis. Those are major words.
How is it possible that a scorer like Rubén Castro has never played with the National Team?
I do not know. We have asked ourselves many times because in those six years it has been good every season. But there have been some that were incredible. Ball that touched, ball that went inside. I think he deserved to go. But each coach has their tastes.
And from Betis, to Getafe. Again with Bordalás.
I arrived at 'Geta' in the Second Division with the aim of being promoted again and we achieved it with a lot of suffering and the following year we already fought to play in Europe with Sevilla until the last minute. The second year we got it and we were fighting until the last day to get into the Champions League. It has tremendous merit. We played the Europa League, we went through the group stage and we eliminated another historic player like Ajax. The four years at Getafe were very beautiful. And for the club, one of the best in its history.
Do you remember that game against Alavés with the Getafe fans chanting “¡Molina Selección!”?
It was the year we qualified for Europe and the feelings were very good. People loved me a lot in Getafe and they sang it in a few games. I knew it was difficult, but Jaime (Mata) was able to go and I think we are all very happy for him because he deserved it.
Did Jorge Molina have any chance?
I don't know, a lot of people sang it and asked me, but I knew I was an age, I had never been there and it was very difficult and in the end I worked to be well in my club. IF it had arrived, great. And if not, nothing happens.
In Granada he has a healthy competition with Roberto Soldado.
With Rober it is a pleasure to share a dressing room. Since I arrived. When I signed, he was one of the first to write to welcome me. He is a forward who is terrific and from whom I try to learn every day.
He says of you that you are an example.
I think the other way around. I name it as an example. We get along really good. The relationship is very good. That is positive and it affects the team.
How is Diego Martínez?
Very well. He is a very close coach, he likes to talk a lot and says things very clearly about what he wants and what he doesn't. The footballer appreciates it. Live for and for football. He is thinking all day and prepares the games very well. He had had references, but now meeting him is a pleasure to be able to work with him. He works and prepares the games very well. It gives you everything very chewed up. That is appreciated when facing the games.
Would you renew right now if you were the president?
I imagine that the club will be treating him because since he has been here he has not been able to do better. First the promotion and then the qualification for the European competition and this year the team's departure. I imagine that from the club the intention will be to renew him. It would be the logical thing to do.
The one who seems to be able to fly is Rui Silva.
I have not discussed the matter with him. He ends his contract and he has been doing an enormous job for a few years, some very good stops, performing and giving a very high level. It is already a thing between the club and him or that in the end the paths separate.
And Machís?
Darwin is a boy who has a brutal explosiveness. He has a good punch and all the conditions to be a great footballer and in fact he is. The best thing is that he wants to keep improving and that will help us to achieve better results for the team.
Luis Suárez, the power.
It is a beast! When it starts, it seems like no, but the power it has is brutal. He is a very good player and has room for growth because he is very young and is giving us many things. Surely it will go to more.
Granada's philosophy is 'Eterna Lucha' and that of going 'step by step'.
In this sense I come from a team like Getafe that also had that philosophy. They have gone little by little, but it has had a remarkable growth. Always based on the work of a group, the team and going all together. Granada is similar, with the eternal struggle that is the club's motto, but the important thing is the group. Based on that, the team will do better.
Tell us what that business you have set up in Madrid consists of.
It is a personal training center. A gym. But it is not about machines but very focused on personal attention, either individually or in small groups of four or six. But always with a coach on top who makes an assessment and tells you what you have to work on and improve based on your goals and always helping you. They suggested it to me and it seemed like an interesting idea. And more now in the postCOVID era, since large gyms are a bit more complicated. You have a safety with health hygiene measures. You can work safely and efficiently. We already wanted to have opened earlier, but with this COVID thing it had to be delayed. We already wanted to open with this project. We are very excited and I hope it moves forward and that it can help many people to feel better on a daily basis.
Where is it located?
It is located in the Carrefour of Ciudad de la Imagen, in Pozuelo. It's called 'Healthy'. It is a franchise. In Granada, I don't know if one or two. It is working well.
Do you see yourself as a future coach?
I do not know. I have prepared for it and a little in all facets. I have a license for a coach, a sports director and the INEF career. I would like to remain linked to something related to football. I don't know if as a coach or in another position. At the moment I want to enjoy playing, which is the most beautiful part of football.
When his contract ends he will be 40 years old. Within the reach of very few privileged people.
Every time he scored a goal I always come out on some longevity record. I always say 'later than never'. I have had to live elite football in older ages. It took me a lot to get to the First Division and what I'm trying now is to enjoy it and savor it.
Do you see a long-term Granada in unstoppable growth?
Growing without a doubt. It has been in a clearly ascending line for several years. We are going to follow step by step that it is working well for us and see how far we can go. But with ambition.
What do you think about the club having Chinese owners?
We are a little removed from all that. We work great every day and we are delighted.
Will we see audiences in the stadiums sooner rather than later?
I don't know, but I want it with all my desire. Hopefully all of this happens quickly. First because of everyone's health and then because football without people in the stadiums is much less football. It is not football. Enjoying the atmosphere in the stadiums, the environment that is lived … I hope it will be soon with the vaccine or whatever it is that we return to normality or the closest thing to normality and that people can come to the stadiums and we enjoy it .