Rioja: “Whenever Leo Messi is in a field, he will be the best”

Luis Jesus Rioja GonzalezThe Heads of San San Juan, 28 years) he is one of those players who learned the trade of dribbling on the street. A profile of a footballer in extinction. He trained at Real Madrid C and Celta B, and has become an idol for the Mendizorroza fans. He is very motivated for tonight. He is the owner of the offensive left wing in Mendizorroza. He has the fans in his pocket and they even compare him to Messi. Big words.

A different week to the latter after finally winning against Valencia.

We needed it, for confidence, so that we, the players and the fans, begin to gain confidence and think that this is possible. It’s also true that some more complicated games are coming up now, but we’re hopeful that it’s going to turn out well.

Are you in the best moment of your career?

Surely, I don’t know if in terms of performance or because of the category I’m in. It is not the same to shine in Second than in First. The League you are in is highly valued.

The stands acclaim him, some even renamed him ‘Lionel Rioja’…

I feel very good, the fans are with me and show me their affection. He sees what Alavés is reflected in my work, and I value it very much.

He recently pointed out that he changed that comparison with Messi to achieve points.

It’s clear. What matters is what the team achieves. If you’re fine, but the team is down, what’s the point? Great teams seek collective performance. If the team wins regularly, the players will be better valued individually.

He belongs to that breed of dribblers that are scarce. And on top of that, her school was the street!

It’s a shame, a football that is too tactical is staying and the imbalance is being lost, it should be valued much more. From these aspects many games are won and that is what I like the most. When you see an unbalanced player, he is one of those who build the most stadiums and can fill a team with energy.

His origins are very humble, from Las Cabezas de San Juan (Seville), the town that gave birth to a world champion like Marchena. He was even a waiter at the Conejo bar. He has reached the top without leaving any quarry and never forgets his roots. He doesn’t take his feet off the ground.

When you come from a youth academy, you have a series of very learned tactical and technical concepts and aspects. In a village club you don’t have that baggage. When you go out, it costs you. Work is rewarded. It is important to have clear ideas of what you want to be in your life and fight it until the possibilities are extinguished. You have to maintain the illusion, that is the engine to do great things.

He went through Madrid C, with RDT, Torró, Fran Sol… from that team only Mariano is currently in the first team.

There were many level players to reach. There was Medrán who made his debut in the Champions League with the first team. There were very well-regarded players in the quarry who have touched the elite. It was a good squad and many of us are in the First Division, which was what we all dreamed of.

Is this game special for that or does it belong to the past?

No, you should keep in mind the sites where they have trusted you and you have been happy, and that is one of them. It’s true that I was only there for one season, but facing Madrid whether you’ve been a youth squad or not, is very special. It is one of the best teams in the world.

Then he went through Celta B, where he coincided with Brais. But his soul team is Betis. He got a kick out of exchanging shirts with Fekir recently.

Everything comes from a bad streak. There was some tension about the results. I already cleared it. I’m not asking for the shirt. I don’t take mine off. He gives me his and I give him mine inside, as we had agreed before, regardless of the result. He decided to do it at the break and it doesn’t matter anymore. One of my big dreams is to play for Betis, I never hide that, but I’m doing very well here, I have a contract for more years and the only thing that matters to me is maintaining the category. It is the illusion of the fans and ours.

With the pandemic and the empty field they have valued everything that the fans give them.

Yes. We are aware that our stadium is a fortress and must remain so. Alavés has always been strong in Mendi and the fans have a lot to say in the games.

They go to the Bernabéu without the sanctioned Laguardia, the ‘chief’ of the defense. Does that make the challenge more complicated?

It will be complicated no matter who plays. Even if you feel very well, if they are successful or feel comfortable in the game, it is normal for them to hurt you. They come from losing in the Champions League and they will want to give their fans a joy. Then we go to Getafe, a field where we will have more chances to get points. Be careful, with this I do not mean that we are not going to give it our all and fight, but we have to be realistic.

It’s extreme, what did you think of Mbappé’s performance? Is he the best in the world?

Whenever Leo is in a field, he will be the best, what he has given and continues to give is very great. Mbappé remembers the beginnings of Neymar, when he overflowed with that speed and that handling of both legs, we could be facing one of the players who will mark the future.

Carvajal, Mendy… there are good players on the wing who can defend him. Who do you like in the back?

The two centrals are having a great season. Militao is at a very high level. Luquita Vázquez is doing very well.

Are they more vulnerable seen what was seen in Paris?

Watching the game, I don’t think so. It is the most complete squad in the world along with that of City. They played in a different way to how they were doing in LaLiga. It cost PSG. At the Bernabéu you will see something different.