Nino: “In Madrid I cried; I missed my family”

Juan Francisco Martínez Modesto (Vera, 1980) is one of Primera's 'grandparents'. At the age of 40, he received the award of once again measuring himself against Real Madrid. He spent two years at La Fábrica and remember how those months were. The most sincere Nino, the one who had Butragueño as his idol, from whom he took the '7' for his jersey, recalls with AS his beginnings after smashing a thousand records and being a living legend of Spanish football.

How did the team get back to work?

It has been an atypical vacation because we have barely had two and a half days of rest. The team is eager to start scoring points and is already preparing the match against Real Madrid.

How have you spent these holidays? With what taste in your mouth did you leave after the draw against Osasuna?

We wanted to beat a direct rival and it was a game of great sensations. The team suffered, they were sparkling and happy, but we were only able to score one point against a direct rival. The idea was to win to hit the table. With the equality that exists, adding three points gives you a lot of life.

What options do they have to beat Madrid?

In football everything is possible. We know that Madrid is in the best moment of the season, but we are going to fight, compete and give our best. It seems complicated, but we are not going to deliver anything and we are going to fight. We want to give Madrid an ugly game.

And how do you make an ugly match?

Folded, being strong, being competitive and putting the leg in. We have to be ourselves, a humble team with a lot of attitude. If you let Madrid play, you have a bad time.

Did you imagine that you would play against Madrid again at your age?

Not because nobody here gives you anything. Playing against Madrid is something nice and everyone likes it and more at this age. I would have loved to live this game with the atmosphere of a full Martínez Valero.

What excites you the most about facing Madrid? One of his references was Butragueño …

Butragueño is true. When I signed for Madrid I was 15 years old and he was retiring. I was lucky enough to see him several games live. But in the end what makes me excited is to play football and compete. When you are a child and Benzema or whoever comes, you are excited. But, at this point, what excites me is to win.

Who would you eliminate from the Madrid map?

Right now it is difficult to eliminate one player, two or three. The level of the whole team is very high and right now Madrid is showing what it is.

There is talk of Modric's seniority. He is 34 years old, six years younger than you …

It doesn't look like he's that old. He is at a very high level and is the engine of Madrid. Whoever wants to stay at the age to do so, but green does not cheat and he is a top player.

How was your time at Madrid?

I used to play for Vera, my hometown team. We played a game in Murcia, with a selection of players from the area that served so that the Madrid scouts could see us and could sign for Madrid. I went to the Cadet and scored 26 or 27 goals. Then, I went to Juvenl C. There came a time when they wanted to give me up because they didn't count on me and I decided to go home. They were two difficult years because I was leaving a town and going to a big city. On a personal level, I missed my family, the environment of my people, and I preferred to go home. Soon after, I already signed for Elche.

He says they were complicated years …

Yes, it doesn't hurt to admit it. In the old Sports City we ran outside, through the Vaguada. I was one of the first and I was crying. I found myself alone and it was not easy. I missed my parents, my brothers … It helped me to improve as a person and I don't regret it.

And who closes the doors of Madrid on him?

Del Bosque was responsible for the lower categories. At the end of the season, they would gather you up and tell you your future. That summer they told me that they were happy with me, but that they wanted to give me up to a team from the Community. I tell them no and decide to go to Vera. At three hours he had already caught the train and was the happiest of the moment …

How are you living this season?

Nobody gives you anything and now you value everything more. It is true that the feeling now is more positive because when you play, you feel better in every way. But I know what my role is and what I want to do is help the team achieve the goal. I can only prepare and be calm to contribute on a day-to-day basis.

But it was key in the ascent. Have you talked to Almirón?

There are not many things to talk about. It's a coach's decision and it's very respectable. Luckily I have been able to play in many places and where I wanted. I believe that these situations exist with all ages and I insist that I just want to help Elche and enjoy as much as I can.

What summary do you make of this 2020?

The summary is very bad for the pandemic, which is above all. At the sporting level, we have found ourselves with a very big prize, such as promotion. I fulfilled a dream that I always had: go up and play with Elche in First Division. For this reason, at the sporting level I give it a ten, but at the social level we have a problem on the table.

What do you ask of 2021?

Health for all. I have an expiration date, like all players. When this summer ends or whenever, I can always say that I have swollen to play football, I have enjoyed and I have suffered a lot. I am very calm.

He has a shot to become the oldest player to score in First. Does it motivate you?

I am not a person who looks at records on a personal level. I am calm and if I can appreciate that when I retire, much better. It is not an obsession, although it would be nice.

Are signings necessary in January to save yourself?

That question is for sports management. I dedicate myself to playing and helping the team, play more or less. There are people who are prepared to see if the team needs to improve or not.

Do you dream of surprising in this match?

Why not? It is a match of eleven against eleven, each one with their weapons. Anything can happen, but we must be clear that at intensity they cannot beat us and if we have one, we must plug it in.