Do you feel emotion being the third in a father-son-grandson saga to play for the National Team? Only two families in Spain have succeeded, Marquitos, Marcos and Marcos Alonso's and yours, with Grosso, Paco Llorente and you.
What I feel is great pride and excitement for following the same path that my grandfather and father did before. I am grateful for having a great family, who have always supported me and who have known how to set my path, because they have lived it before me. I am happy, very happy to get something like that.
His house is a factory for athletes. Only in football, practically in his family there have been players in all positions: his grandfather Grosso, center forward; his uncle Julio, a central defender in Madrid and his father, Paco, a winger. And the last two nephews of the legendary Paco Gento, the only one in history to win six European Cups with Madrid. With this history, in what position did you start playing?
I started as a forward, but when I arrived at Madrid they put me as a midfielder and, when I reached the youth team, they switched me to defensive pivot. And as a midfielder I have continued until a few months ago, when after arriving at Atlético El Cholo put me higher and things turned out very well and I am still there. The truth, everything has gone very fast, but it has gone well.
What coach is starting to give him continuity as a midfielder?
The first coach who trusts me for that position is Fernando Morientes. It was in Juvenil B of Madrid and that season was the first time that I considered leaving Real Madrid because I was not playing at all. He was tired because he wanted to play. But I held on, and eight or nine games into the season, Morientes trusted me and I ended up playing every game as a starter. They even sent me with Youth A to play the Copa del Rey. That was the first time that everything changed overnight and it was thanks to Morientes being the first coach who trusted me as a pivot, which in the end was the position that led me to make my debut in the First Division and that made me international. U21.
Then Simeone arrived, already at Atlético, and he changed his position. He overtakes him and a call from Luis Enrique arrives. Was it easy for you to advance the position? It is generally somewhat more complicated than delaying it.
I had to work a lot with the video and apply Simeone's instructions, but I finally adapted. I think that due to my physical conditions I can play in a more advanced position, but it is true that I did not expect everything to be as good as it has gone. For me it is a great advantage to be able to play in various positions and give those options to the coach.
Llorente's goals have been important for Atlético, like Anfield's. Did you know that those of your grandfather, Grosso, helped Atleti avoid a relegation?
My grandmother told me, yes. My grandfather played on loan from Plus Ultra, a Real Madrid subsidiary, at Atlético. And after that tough season, he returned to Chamartín. Both he and my father played for Madrid and Atlético, and now it's my turn. I think the change has been very good, and it is not that I believe it, it is that the statistics are there and now I am speaking as a National Team player, therefore, the change could not have been better.
His discipline in the training-feeding-rest cycle is well known. Who instills that routine in you?
My father, Paco Llorente. My father has instilled in me the values of work, and also those of rest and nutrition for the athlete. He has always been a very methodical person, very demanding and that has helped me a lot in my career.
Does your father keep those good habits?
Not only does it keep them, but every year it gets better … or worse depends on how you look at it. But the point is that you follow and keep your work, rest and nutrition cycle at an optimal point. He has incredible willpower, which I have not yet achieved. My father is an example as an athlete and for me also as a person.
Have you always maintained discipline at the table at home?
Yes, since childhood it has been like that. Therefore it is true that when you left the house you put on your boots with everything you could not eat. But then you grow and you realize that nutrition is something very important, and more so for athletes. Food has a direct impact on the performance of athletes, which is why it is an area that nutrition professionals are already in charge of. That is why it is an important part of my life and my preparation.
Are there prohibited foods for Marcos Llorente?
Nothing forbidden … but then there are some that are only for very special occasions. Everything that is bakery and ultra-processed must be forgotten, like sweets. There is nothing true that I do not eat meat, I am not a vegetarian. I eat everything except dairy and cereals, which is the only thing I don't try. Like meat, fish, eggs, chicken, potatoes, sweet potatoes, vegetables … everything.
What is your favorite dish?
Scrambled eggs with sweet potato and Iberian ham.
He debuted with the National Team with number 21, David Silva's …
Debuting with Spain was a dream come true, and a great responsibility. If you carry the number of Silva, a champion of Europe and the World, well even more. I wish I could achieve what Silva has achieved.
What does Luis Enrique ask of him? The coach said the other day that he would ask him about the position in which he prefers to play.
We have spoken and he has asked me to adapt to the National Team's game idea, which has nothing to do with the one I have at Atleti. But here everyone makes it easy for you.
What would you give to be on the Eurocup list, among the 23 chosen?
The same as I give now. I give it my all every day, in every training session and in every game. Because it is the only way to achieve the objectives.