How do you define the year that is ending?
It has been a different, atypical year. Everything we have suffered and lived through, the pandemic … They have marked a lot. At the football level, there have been many changes, we have had to live with them. We are looking forward to this ending, personally and globally. We want to see the stadiums full again and to breathe football again. I'm looking forward to normalcy back.
Have you been scared?
No. All the people I know who have had COVID have had mild symptoms, fever and loss of smell, but I have not been afraid. It is a virus that affects older people. And I have not had to live it up close.
Which game or moment or sensation of 2020 do you stick with?
I would tell you two. Miranda's match, in which we qualified to play the final of the Copa del Rey. It was a wonderful day. We were able to celebrate it with our people, there were a lot. You saw that the fans were enjoying it a lot. And also the last league game, at Wanda, in which we qualified to play in Europe this season. They were the two happiest moments.
It's December 30th and Monreal hasn't renewed yet, restless?
No. I am calm. And the club is quiet. I am enjoying every day everything that this city gives me. Both my family and I are very comfortable. I am very happy with the club and the people who work there and I think they are also happy with me. I am aware that I am a 34 year old player, veteran.
Have they transmitted that they want to renew?
How do you like to ask! I'm just telling you that everything will end well. I have no doubt.
Have you looked at other alternatives? I could have them.
Power, I could, but I don't think about it now. I am dedicated to playing. I feel very lucky. To be able to say that I enjoy everyday life at the age that I am, I would never have imagined it. I enjoy training, with my teammates … I feel happy. In my head there is only the derby.
Come on, it's going to renew.
Well, in the end for it to renew the two parties have to agree. The day we sit down, we will talk about it and decide. I'm very happy.
Does the body ask you to leave at 34?
So is. The day he doesn't ask me, I'll raise my hand and walk away. But for now the sensations are very good. I have been lucky with the injury issue and I have tried to take care of myself as best I could. I feel like I can still contribute and compete. I am still very ambitious and hopefully this lasts a long time.
Imanol renews until 2023, what opinion do you deserve?
It is one of the best news that we have been able to receive. He is a coach 10 in every way, as a person and as a coach. The club bet on him and he is more than proving his worth. You are making the team create an identity. It is a well deserved renovation.
Olabe, until 2024, how do you see it?
I'm very happy. I know him personally and he does a wonderful job. Much of the fault of the team that we have and that we are doing what we are doing is his. Also well deserved. I hope it stays a long time. The club is very well set up at the institutional level, with very efficient people, who understand a lot about this and are doing things very well. The results speak for themselves.
How are you seeing Arsenal?
I follow it quite a bit. It's being a pretty difficult season. A priori, it seemed quite good, because of how they ended last year, winning the FA Cup and the Community. It is true that this year they started winning, but then they chained many matches of bad play and results. They have been fifteenth, suffering a lot, with many doubts. The club trusts Mikel (Arteta) a lot and I see him prepared to solve this and give the team a personal touch. I think the victory (3-1) at Chelsea on the last day will give them air and confidence.
Now that you are an expert in financial markets, what do you recommend investing in for those with money?
In renewables. It's the future.