Mario Suárez, 33, punctually goes to his phone appointment with AS, worried about this situation that we are now experiencing. In the background you can hear their little ones, who want to play Frozen. Having time for yours is, without a doubt, the most positive thing about confinement.
-How is your day to day?
-This situation is incredible: it looks like a horror movie in which we are the protagonists. We don't leave home, but we don't get bored. Children are my alarm clock from eight to nine, we have breakfast together, I do my exercise hour and the rest of the day I spend with them, doing homework, drawing, inventing games, reading … When they fall asleep we can have a more quiet time my woman and me.
-And it gives you time to study your Master in Sports Management …
– Captain Alberto did it and I found it interesting. I go to the Garrigues Study Center on Thursday afternoons and now we continue online. There are also the president of Zaragoza, Cristian Lapetra; the general director of Albacete, Jorge Buergo; former soccer players Leo Franco, Juanjo Camacho and Borja Fernández; player Amanda Sampedro; the Olympians Silvia Soler, Jorge Díaz … The first thing is my career, I still have several years left, but it is good to train and grow.
-What physical and nutritional plan have been imposed on you?
-The club has sent us a schedule and a bicycle for those who did not have it. In addition, I have rented a treadmill and materials such as dumbbells, rubbers, a bosu … Nutritionally, we must eat vegetables, fruits and salads, reduce the intake of carbohydrates …
“This teaches us to value more what we have”
EPIDEMIC
-Who do you have contact with?
-The mister called us all, also the doctor and the delegate. We have a team chat in which we talk about how we are doing and we each take it. There is a very good wardrobe. Hopefully we'll see you soon.
-Do you have a close case of coronavirus? The other day on Twitter he asked for measures …
-The closest thing has been the death of Lorenzo Sanz because I have a very good relationship with his sons Fernando and Paco. On Twitter, I show my concern, I am not talking about politics or anything like that. I want this to end as soon as possible, that people stop suffering and dying and that the measures that have to be taken, even if they are difficult, are taken.
-You played in China and Italy, other epicenters of the pandemic.
-I spoke to the president of the Guizhou in China and a couple of translators and they had a very bad time. From Italy, with Valero, Godín and El Chacho before he came. There they had become very serious already, they only went out to buy and to the pharmacy. We had that example, we could have gone ahead and skipped steps. It is a complicated situation for us and for those who must make decisions, but we will come out and make it stronger.
– Will LaLiga resume?
-It's all in the air. The main thing is health. Hopefully all this happens and we can finish the competition, fight for the playoff and move up with Rayo. I would not care to lose vacation and play in July. We are privileged and, if I have to sacrifice days, I would.
-And would you play without an audience?
-We play for and for our people. We have a hobby behind that has paid its subscription for the whole year and doing it without an audience is nonsense. In addition, if there is a risk for viewers, there is also a risk for us, although less. I guess that decision will ultimately depend on Health and the Government.
-These days talk about ERTE and salary cuts.
-We have not been asked either one or the other. If LaLiga is suspended and Rayo has losses, I understand that it would also affect us players. It would be logical. But this now is talk for talk. Rayo is a viable club. They put it to us as an example of economic viability in my course.
-Sport is showing solidarity in this great crisis.
-I want to highlight the initiative of our fans, which raised almost € 35,000 for the Infanta Leonor Hospital. It is admirable. That speaks highly of our country, our society and our hobby. They give everything for us and we must give it for them, for the neighborhood and for the shield. Vallecas goes out of its way for the others. The club has also manufactured and donated material for the toilets. Any help is appreciated.
“Vallecas goes out of its way for the others”
SOLIDARITY
-He launched a question from a Curro Canete book that I ask him today: What is life trying to teach me at the moment?
-To value what we have, to enjoy each moment and our loved ones, not to worry about nonsense or things that do not depend on us … To think about the present, without looking beyond. It's a shame something like this has to happen to figure it out.
-And what about 2019-20?
-The first lap was below expectations and on the second we started well. We must go to the top in what remains and win, we have not yet chained three victories. There have been positive things, like the three months without losing and that we do not fit much. The negative is that it costs us to score, we need many occasions.
-How have you seen yourself?
-I missed the preseason due to a soleus injury. I came back with the ankle without being or performing well, so we decided to stop. Then I have picked up the rhythm and now I feel good. The coach brings me closer to the area and, for the moment, I have three goals and one assist. I try to help the team, leaving my skin for this shield.
-He's already one of the captains.
-With Alberto's injury and Embarba's departure, Trejo, Tito and I were left. We are proud to wear the bracelet. I feel loved by the club, the fans and the dressing room. Here I have lived things that I never lived. Lightning is special.