According to AS, Valero spoke about Real Madrid, Fiorentina, Rodri, and other topics.
From Madrid to Florence, from Real Madrid's academy to becoming a legend in the cradle of the Renaissance. Borja Valero is the Spanish player with the most appearances for Fiorentina, with a total of 233. He fell in love with the city and settled there with his wife. Now, he works as a match commentator on TV and also takes care of his children: "She used to do these things, now it's my turn."
On the eve of the direct confrontation between his two former clubs, he was interviewed by AS. He defended Fiorentina when they were in a difficult situation, understood Mourinho's arrival, supported Rodri, and warned Diomande. This Saturday, even if it's just a friendly match, he expects "great scenes."
Q: How is your life now?
A: I live in Italy! My wife and I decided to stay in Florence, where the last club I played for was located, and where my children have spent most of their lives. They are starting to grow up, and it would be complicated to make them leave, so we prefer to stay. Now I work with Italian TV, commentating on football matches, but that's about it in the football world. I spend more time with my children now. This is what my wife did when I was playing, now it's my turn.
Q: Do you rule out becoming a coach or a manager in the future?
A: As for coaching, I almost certainly won't do it. At most, maybe in youth football or working with children. But I've basically ruled it out, 100% (laughs). As for being a manager or something similar, I think I should study first. When the children are a little older and I have more time, maybe I can consider it.
Q: For those who don't know, you are the Spanish player with the most appearances in Fiorentina's history, with 233 matches. How do you recall that experience?
A: Very proud. It's a club with a long history. Everyone remembers players like Batistuta and Rui Costa, whom we saw in the Champions League when we were children. Fiorentina has always been a special team. After I came here, I got to know the city and its people, and I quickly fell in love with this place and the character of its people. Because I found myself very similar to them, and they appreciated that from the beginning.
Q: Would it be too far-fetched to compare that Fiorentina with the current Como? For example, both are attractive dark horses.
A: No. But indeed, Fiorentina has a much deeper history than Como. People have always called Fiorentina the "seventh giant of Italy." There are those giants, and then there's Fiorentina. We were very close to the Champions League back then, but we were affected by the situation at the time: Serie A lost a Champions League spot. We finished fourth for three consecutive years but couldn't participate in the Champions League. However, we played very attractively, very boldly, with a very Spanish style, wanting to control possession. We became a dark horse because before we arrived, Fiorentina was fighting for relegation. In those five years, we had a lot of fun playing, and we were very, very close to achieving something beautiful.
Q: However, last season Fiorentina was close to the relegation zone. Does it hurt to see the team like that?
A: This was not the situation we envisioned before the start of the season. At that time, a coach who knew the city very well came, he had been a player here, and had also coached Milan and led them to win Serie A, and even reached the Champions League semi-finals. Everyone had high expectations for this plan, but sometimes when things don't start well, it's hard to turn them around. This often happens in football. Fortunately, Fiorentina eventually avoided relegation. External expectations are high, which leads to disappointment, and undeniably, it was a painful year. But new expectations will soon arise here. The new sporting director has arrived, and everyone has a lot of hope for what he can do, including what players he can bring in and what kind of team he can build. We hope to trust the new coach Grosso, who has just done very well at Sassuolo. We hope this is a good start. Some people will use my Fiorentina team as a reference, expecting the current Fiorentina to achieve those things too. We hope so.
Q: Let's talk about Real Madrid. For those who don't know you, you first emerged in that Castilla team that was promoted to Segunda División, and you were also in that dressing room.
A: That team was so talented.
Q: I can imagine! What was the secret?
A: It was simply incredible talent. 90% of the players who passed through the reserve team in those three or four years had very good professional careers, even playing for very big teams. That's talent. It was a team with good relationships, and there was truly a lot, a lot of talent. I will emphasize this word repeatedly. Of course, it's not easy when you're that young, and in fact, a few years later we were relegated to Segunda División B. But ultimately, the combination of youth and talent, plus many years of excellent work behind the scenes, made that generation of players incredible. And they have proven it over time.
Q: You say "talent," but it's always hard to break into the first team. You later had to go to Mallorca. How difficult was the decision to pack up and leave?
A: Wow! That's one of the most difficult decisions you have to make! And at a very young age. It's not easy because you might not be ready to have that kind of determination. I'm talking about myself, I was in the club of my life at that time, it was the team I supported, where I grew up and played for a long time. Then you have to decide whether to fight for that little chance in the first team, or to carve out your own path in the top league, to live outside Real Madrid. Obviously, the demands of the Real Madrid first team and the fans are too high, which makes the management look for the best players in the world, leaving very little room for young players. But I hope and firmly believe that there are many high-level players in Real Madrid's academy. Sooner or later, we will not only see them in other teams around the world, but also at the Bernabéu, being appreciated by the fans. Because I think they deserve it. I have many examples in my mind. It's possible if you trust them and give them space. There is quality in Real Madrid's academy.
Q: What do you think about Mourinho's return?
A: Obviously, this caught my attention, and I think almost everyone's. But the president sees him as the key to getting the team back on the winning track. Real Madrid is the most demanding club in the world, and they won't be satisfied with winning a Copa del Rey or a Spanish Super Cup. You have to maintain the highest level every year. Even if you win the Champions League, it will be forgotten quickly in a few months, because everyone wants to win it again. Now, Mourinho is considered the coach who can make the team fight for all titles again. After a complicated season and different coaches, I hope Mourinho can be the key to the team competing again. As a Real Madrid fan, I hope to go to another Champions League final, just like the last one.
Q: Nacho once told us that Mourinho is exactly what Real Madrid "needs" right now. Do you agree?
A: Very likely, off the field, few people can handle various situations like him. As for what can be seen on the field, it's more subjective. But off the field, at the dressing room level, he is indeed someone who can completely control a dressing room like Real Madrid's. Therefore, people are very likely to say that he is the right person for this moment.
Q: Is Rodri necessary for this plan?
A: After losing Kroos, Real Madrid needs to strengthen this position. The team needs a player who can control the midfield and has the ability to organize the game. Rodri not only recently won the Golden Ball, but he also won the World Cup and is a benchmark player. He would be a top player very suitable for Real Madrid, but I don't think signing him will be easy. However, in terms of ability and leadership, he would be an ideal candidate.
Q: What do you think about Diomande's arrival?
A: Another surprise! But ultimately, the important thing is that, no matter what has been done in the past, one must adapt well to this club. Outsiders cannot imagine what it means to be a Real Madrid player, what it entails, or how much pressure there is. The important thing is to know how to live with these things. We will see if he can prove himself to be a player suitable for this club. We hope these things happen, that he can adapt, be in good form, and show the abilities we have seen in other teams. But it's not easy to do at Real Madrid what you have always done elsewhere. This is a different place, with different pressures. Not all players can reach this level, and not everyone is ready for this challenge.
Q: This Saturday, do you expect a slow-paced match, or a not-so-friendly friendly?
A: I hope the pace will pick up. In the first few preseason matches, you have a lot of training load in your legs, and even if your mind wants to play faster, your body can't keep up, which is normal. This will affect the pace of the game. But I think as time goes on, the intensity of the game will increase. Fiorentina has been training well for some time, and may become a team that challenges Real Madrid. This will also motivate Real Madrid players to prove themselves in front of Mourinho. All of these will be reflected in the game.
Q: Last question. If someone thinks Fiorentina is not in good form now and is not a match for Real Madrid, what would you say to them?
A: I would say that last season certainly didn't go as expected, but a new coach has arrived, and he has different ideas. It's also true that he plays a 4-3-3 with wingers, and Fiorentina currently doesn't have wingers. Only a 16-year-old kid has been called up to the first team for this preseason, and he's doing some interesting things. But as for wingers, the team currently has none, so this won't be what we see during the season. However, the game will certainly still have content. Because they have many players who have played in Serie A for a long time and performed well. And in any case, you are facing Real Madrid, probably the best team in the world. This must be the motivation to give a little more that day and make others see you. There will be a great match, because the players all want to play well in such an important match, even if it's just a friendly. But the opponent is Real Madrid.
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