“The homegrown players bring a difficult gene to get”

Dani Carvajal was the protagonist, on a day like today 17 years ago, in the act of laying the first stone of the Real Madrid City of Valdebebas. The side was in charge of representing the quarry and depositing a shirt with Alfredo Di Stéfano, honorary president of the club. Settled in the first team and with a track record that includes, among other titles, four Champions League titles and two leagues, Carvajal, 29, has on the program Real Madrid Connect from the official television of the club what memories he has of that day and reviews the news of the first team and also of Castilla.

How did you know that you were going to lay the first stone ?: “It was an act that called us to the different captains of the lower categories. When I got there they told me that I had to go out and put on a shirt representing the shirt, super nervous, I ran, put it on and went back to my place.”

How nervous was he with the whole club there ?: “Very nervous. I remember that my mother even threw me a camera and told me: 'Take advantage of the fact that you will not live this again, you will be with the first team'. And I have some photos there as souvenirs.”

That image is the history of Real Madrid. The homegrown players see him as an example to follow. Do you take it as a responsibility ?: “Yes, both a responsibility and a strong compliment. Serving as an example for so many boys in the quarry, making them see that it is not impossible and that the dream of many of them can come true.”

What did it mean to share that moment with Di Stéfano ?: “At the time, perhaps I was not even half aware of the repercussion that being so close to Don Alfredo was going to have. Over the years, I have gained a lot of value from that photo, because it is something unique that I am going to take with me. forever”.

With the passage of time, did you ever discuss it with him or with the president ?: “We talked to the president many times. There is also an image of that photo in the residence of the quarry … It is a beautiful memory.”

How would you describe Real Madrid City? What is it for you ?: “It's amazing. Everything, at the level of the quarry, of the first team … It's spectacular. The resources that the sports city has, the gardens, the fields, its care, the people who work there … Any player that have been able to enjoy or come to see it has been amazed “.

Is the stadium the best tribute that could be paid to Di Stéfano ?: “Yes, I hope that this year we can give that stadium that bears his name the second consecutive League. Last year we were able to celebrate the title there and hopefully this season we can also dedicate this League to him.”

Does winning a league as complicated as last year at Di Stéfano make it even more special ?: “Yes, very much. For me it is one of the best stadiums. I have celebrated a promotion to the Second Division and a League. Living moments and super-special matches is the most important thing, sometimes you stay more with that than with the triumphs.”

As a veteran of the subsidiary, how do you see Castilla, which is struggling to go up to Second ?: “I want to send them a lot of encouragement and strength. I was able to experience something similar. I wish them good luck, that they enjoy it and go to the fullest. They are a great team and the youth are also showing their face. Very lucky and for Ibiza.”

There he coincided with Lucas Vázquez and Nacho. Would you say that Castilla is a team that prints Madrid character and DNA ?: “Those who come from below and have been in the quarry for many years and know the club can contribute different things to the first team dressing room. It is necessary that there are youth players, because they contribute a gene that is difficult to achieve from outside.”

What makes Zidane, who started his coaching career at Di Stéfano so special ?: “It is a calculation of things. He is a very complete coach, that beyond all the titles he has achieved, which is incredible, the respect he imposes in the dressing room is something incredible, because in the end when Zidane speaks to you, you are with all five senses put into the talks he gives. He more than anyone knows what this shield and this club mean and he is showing it. “