“The Barca? Madrid called first ”

Armand
Vallès he still rubs his eyes when he thinks that in a few weeks he will be at La Fábrica playing for him Real
Madrid. The extravagant cocktail that combines its 1.93 cm and a devilish speed and coordination for its height captured the attention of the scouts of the white club, who bet on it like no one else did. The Catalan, just 16 years old, is a 'rare bird' with qualities that make him a special footballer.

With a defensive body but a forward's soul, this modest but confident winger exploded at Mercantil, although he started in Cercle Sabadellès 1856, passed through Sant Cugat and spent half a season with CE Sabadell in which he did not adapt playing on the wing. . The two brilliant campaigns that he later carried out in the Cadet and the Juvenil del Mercantil took over the mobile phone of his representative agency, headed by Arturo Canales.

Valencia, Levante, Betis, Villarreal, Espanyol, Girona and Alavés picked up the receiver to ask about him, but it was Real Madrid who took him, signing him last December for Juvenil A after signing an agreement for three seasons. FC Barcelona, ​​which has an agreement with Mercantil whereby it has priority over its players, let the train pass and today Armand is already a white player. “Real Madrid called me first and it was the one that really interested and from the beginning,” explains the footballer to MD.

An unexpected call on a quiet Sunday afternoon

“We were home on a Sunday afternoon. I think it was December 1st. And the phone rang. My father caught. They told us they were interested but wanted to see me in action a little more. We were freaking out because he usually signs up a couple of months later. It was fortunate that they came the day of the match against Cerdanyola because I scored two goals. From there everything is tied. In January we went to the Ciudad Deportiva de Valdebebas to see the facilities and negotiate the contract, although everything was delayed due to the coronavirus, ”he explains.

It was not an easy decision as it may seem. “We had to talk about it at home. My parents had a hard time assuming I was leaving alone, but the truth is that they really liked the project, they found it very interesting. My parents give a lot of value to the studies and in the residence they give you many guarantees ”. Armand is in his second year of high school and knows that a good knowledge base is important in life. “In fact, if it does, in a couple of years I would like to start a career.”

Armand Vallès works with his physical trainer, Jordi Bertran
Armand Vallès works with his physical trainer, Jordi Bertran

The footballer's contract is for three years with the idea of ​​reaching Castilla de Raúl. “The goal is to go up. Juvenile B, Juvenile A and affiliate in the third year. Then of course I would like to continue signing contracts, but if I do not arrive nothing happens: Real Madrid is a world showcase. I have my feet on the ground and my parents always remind me that I have not achieved anything. Not everyone arrives. That's why I said about the studies ”.

Armand, who claims that he has no football references but that he follows all European leagues, was able to meet Raúl in Valdebebas in January. “We ran into him and they introduced him to us. I was very excited. ” The former Madrid player is the one who must end up convincing after a while. But with calm, work, humility and confidence. “They signed me so long ago and I know I am going to play for Real Madrid that I am already psyched up.” It has everything to get there. Now it's a matter of time