The 2018/19 season has started well for Borja Iglesias, the most expensive signing in Espanyol's history.
He signed from Celta Vigo during the summer for 10 million euros and has already scored once and provided one assist, with Espanyol having earned seven points from the first four rounds.
They take on Real Madrid next and, ahead of the match, the forward talked about Los Blancos, his own team and much more in an interview with MARCA.
The season couldn't have started any better for Espanyol, as you're fourth and have seven points. You've started well too.
"We are happy, of course, although everything can be improved. We are still irritated by the match in Vitoria [a 2-1 loss to Alaves], where we could have won and I wish we had won. But we are happy because the feeling is very good. I am also happy, for the confidence I've received and because I feel like I'm becoming connected with the team."
There were a lot of clubs wanting you, so why did you pick Espanyol?
"For me, it was relatively simple. When this option was proposed to me, with the style of play here and the project at the club, it all motivated me a lot. This was a place where it seemed like it had what I needed at this time. It was very simple."
What does it mean for someone young playing their first LaLiga Santander season to go to the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu?
"These are nice matches because they serve to show us how strong or not we are. We can measure ourselves and we'll be going through moments where it's not easy to perform. We have a lot of desire. For me, it's special because I've never played in a match like this. Yet it was also special to play away at Balaidos or in Vitoria."
What have Real Madrid lost with the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo?
"Cristiano Ronaldo has shown that he can score goals. I don't think Real Madrid have lost that. That's the truth. There are others who do that very well and who are capable of doing what he does."
Can you beat this Ronaldo-less Real Madrid?
"Yes, they can be beaten. Any team can be beaten. However, it obviously requires a lot to take a match like this and we are aware of that. But, why can't we beat Real Madrid?"
Rubi's ambition seems to have rubbed off on you.
"I think that for somebody who competes it is important to have this mentality and to see that you have a chance and to believe you can grab your chances. I believe that being ambitious is good, as long as you are also respectful. Bravery and boldness are adjectives that describe this Espanyol team and I think that'll also be true when we play against Real Madrid."
Who were your idols as a youngster?
"I had many. When you are young and like football then you have many footballing idols. I always liked to play as striker and focussed on them. There was Didier Drogba, Fernando Torres, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, David Villa and Fernando Morientes. I grew up admiring them and trying to learn from them, as difficult as that is."
What headline on MARCA would you like to read after the match against Real Madrid?
"I'd love if it said that Espanyol had won at the Bernabeu. That's something all of us would like to read. But not in any way, as I'd like to win by competing as we know how to, going for the match and experiencing a difficult match, with suffering but also the feeling of having the ball and being ambitious. Being ourselves."
And with a goal from you?
"That would be nice, that's true. But as long as it would help us win. If not, then it's so nice to have scored at the Bernabeu."
RealMadrid309
0
he means someone can score 450 goals on 438 games...have as many assist as Ronaldo....can win as many trophies as him ....keep dreaming kid ...there is no one as good as him and there ever will be in real madrid...
funny..... Madrid played for cr7 not the other way around that y he scored so many goal... if they played as a team he wouldn't have score that much
kohenpstyz
1
What Ronaldo has achieved was only because it was with Real Madrid without he is nothing
ORUVAL2
0
Are You ? doubting
Shadownet
0
you are a barca fan so you bark
lol....
sagar007
0
u are barking like a dog bro, calm down. Messi has done more than that. Since CR7 came to Madrid Messi has more goals and Assist than he does, so stop barking
you are a barca fan so you bark
Shadownet
1
you shut up
u are barking like a dog bro, calm down. Messi has done more than that. Since CR7 came to Madrid Messi has more goals and Assist than he does, so stop barking
sagar007
0
shut up..
you shut up
Shadownet
0
he means someone can score 450 goals on 438 games...have as many assist as Ronaldo....can win as many trophies as him ....keep dreaming kid ...there is no one as good as him and there ever will be in real madrid...
shut up..
SukabumiKid
0
Keep dreaming boy. There’s no one like Ronaldo. Maybe other players can reach his level but that’s it. People seem to forget what CR7 already achieved and players think after a couple of good games and goals they sit at the same table. Let them first win titles, on their own and for a decade long. Ronaldo won his prices and titles fair and square. I think Messi and Ronaldo are stepbrothers without knowing it themselves, that’s why they rule like they do. They need each other and they respect each other. Basically, we have two giants the world can enjoy and I wish them both the best.
Winning all titles and prices for more then a decade, score more goals, determine games on your own and not only once. Such an impact as Ronaldo has on the world, Bale however never will. What do you think about that, Bale’s got some catching up to do, mate.
Findlmsty
0
Keep dreaming boy. There’s no one like Ronaldo. Maybe other players can reach his level but that’s it. People seem to forget what CR7 already achieved and players think after a couple of good games and goals they sit at the same table. Let them first win titles, on their own and for a decade long. Ronaldo won his prices and titles fair and square. I think Messi and Ronaldo are stepbrothers without knowing it themselves, that’s why they rule like they do. They need each other and they respect each other. Basically, we have two giants the world can enjoy and I wish them both the best.
there is Gareth bale!! he can do what ronaldo do....overhead kick..knuckle ball free kick... heading...long shot...what else he can't do???
Findlmsty
1
Gareth bale job is cristiano ronaldo.... he can replace ronaldo perfectly because both of them can do overhead kick...even messi cannot replace ronaldo because their role is different
sagar007
2
he means someone can score 450 goals on 438 games...have as many assist as Ronaldo....can win as many trophies as him ....keep dreaming kid ...there is no one as good as him and there ever will be in real madrid...
SukabumiKid
4
Keep dreaming boy. There’s no one like Ronaldo. Maybe other players can reach his level but that’s it. People seem to forget what CR7 already achieved and players think after a couple of good games and goals they sit at the same table. Let them first win titles, on their own and for a decade long. Ronaldo won his prices and titles fair and square. I think Messi and Ronaldo are stepbrothers without knowing it themselves, that’s why they rule like they do. They need each other and they respect each other. Basically, we have two giants the world can enjoy and I wish them both the best.
ruucdu
1
even tennis players now talk about ronaldo..does borja even play football?? ...may be tennis it rugby
JOHANNES PETRUS
1
MADRID NEED FRESH LEGS U CAN JUST SEE IT WHEN THEY PLAY THE YOUNGER PLAYERS SEEM TO BE MORE COMMITED AND FOCUSED
Hriidazholou
2
there is nobody to fill Ronaldo shoes.. smoking weed
Bhenry
0
can't wait to deal with them #HallaMadrid
Losblancos-fc
2
What is up with everyone and saying “Ronaldo-less Madrid”?