Gonzalo villar (Murcia, 1998) is with the Sub-21 that tomorrow will play against Macedonia in search of a victory that will leave Luis de la Fuente's men very close to qualifying for the European Championship. Villar attended Mundo Deportivo from the concentration to talk about that meeting, but also about his stay in Roma, Elche and even Messi.
What does it mean for you that the national team returns?
The joy of returning, in quotation marks, to normality even though things are getting a little uglier now. It is a joy because in March, with the pandemic, it was a hard hit that all football stopped and for that reason, now it is a tremendous joy.
In this renewed U21 team, how do you face the game against Macedonia?
We come from a situation that is not easy because we arrived from being on vacation, we do not have the rhythm of competition and that is a handicap that this call has, but we always try to give our best and we are going for the victory against Macedonia which is important for U.S.
What has the coach asked you for this game?
He has asked us for maximum concentration because it is a key game for us. If we win, we are practically qualified for the European Championship and we have to make the most of it.
Meeting with teammates should be special.
Yes, we all wanted to get together because they are a fantastic group. There are many new faces, but we have been two days and it seems like a week. In the national team whenever you arrive here, a day and a half goes by and everyone gets along great and it's amazing.
On the horizon appear Eurocup, European Under 21 and Olympic Games …
If it were up to me, I would play all three, without a doubt. I have to go step by step, for now I am happy with the trust that Luis has placed in me and go step by step. Now it's time to qualify for the European Championship, but if I could play the European Championship, the Olympic Games and the European Championship, it would be a dream for me.
When you play behind closed doors, are the players more restrained when it comes to saying, talking on the field because you hear everything?
No, I don't think so. In fact, there have been actions in Italy so they have been recorded, but when you are inside, you only think about the game and you inhibit what can be heard outside. You are not attentive to that and we act the same as if there were an audience, that's why some conversations are being heard.
Has the referee in Italy told you to be careful what you say that I am listening to you?
No, he has told us nothing, but we have to take it into account, it's true (laughs)
By the way, I have not congratulated him on the rise of Elche, the club in which he trained and played, to the First Division …
Thank you. It was a source of pride and tears came to my eyes seeing my teammates. The best thing about that club is the dressing room and it was incredible that they got the promotion. I congratulated everyone, spoke to my old coach. It was incredible, an incredible thing.
His old coach is Pacheta who is not still at Elche …
It has surprised us all but I don't want to get too involved either because it is a subject about which I do not have the necessary information. I can only tell you that he has always behaved with me, both in the first year that he did not play much, and in the second that he was fixed, he has behaved more than as a coach, as an almost paternal figure, always helping me and I am very grateful to him and he knows it.
How is your life in Rome?
Pretty good, removing the stretch of confinement that I had to stay there, pretty good. I'm not going to discover Rome, a beautiful city. My friends, my family are always looking forward to going to see me because I live alone and I really like receiving visits from Spain. I am very happy and every day more adapted.
Have you noticed a lot of change between Spanish and Italian football?
For me, the English league can be more different due to the physical issue, there is practically no midfield. The rest of the leagues, although they have their differences, I consider that if you know how to play in Spain, although perhaps one league could do better than another, if you have the ability to adapt, you can play in each league. I have noticed some change, but every day I am adapting more.
And how has leaving Spain been good for you?
Yes, you have to mature and when one is more mature it shows in the field, in decision making, in how to face problems.
You went to Roma with Valencia in between, do you understand everything that is happening with Valencia?
Seen from the outside it seems that nothing is understood. I don't know what exactly the goal is, I imagine they would have financial problems and are trying to sell to those with the highest chips or to the best players who are the ones with the most money. It is a club that I have a lot of affection for and I always want it to do well. Of the clubs I have been to, I always watch every game and I hope they do well. Although now it seems black, I hope in June they could have had a good season.
Who is your football reference?
My favorite player has always been Andrés Iniesta. I was lucky that when I was 10-11 years old, he began to be a key player in Pepe's Barça and I have been able to see his entire career, his best years and I have enjoyed it as a small child. He has always been my favorite player.
How is Messi and Barcelona seen in Italy?
It sounded out there that I could go to Italy and I would love to have Messi and Cristiano in the Italian league. It gives cache to the league and it would be nice to face them, but since it is not known what will happen, for now, to wait.