During a recent training session with the Spanish national team, left-back Alejandro Grimaldo spoke to Daily Sport about the future of the national team, the impact of winning the Euros, the competitiveness of the Dutch team, and his feelings towards his old club Barcelona.
Feelings after winning the European Cup
Q: Did your mindset change after winning Euro 2024?
Grimaldo: Of course there was! When Spain were on top of Europe, we had proved ourselves to be a difficult team to beat. The victory in Germany has boosted our confidence. I’m confident that with our current coaching staff and great players, we can achieve much more in the UEFA Nations League and the World Cup.
Facing external and self-imposed pressures
Q: As a player who demands a lot from himself, how do you feel about external pressure and your own expectations?
Grimaldo: I don’t differentiate between pressure from the outside world or from myself. Every time I take the field, I do my best to play at my best.
Challenges for the Netherlands
Q: How do you rate your UEFA Nations League quarter-final opponents, the Netherlands?
Grimaldo: I know some of the Dutch players, some are ex-teammates and some are club rivals. The Dutch team is very strong and their players are not only technically excellent but also very competitive.
Q: Do you think the Dutch style of play is similar to that of Spain?
Grimaldo: Yes, the Dutch team prefers ball possession and high pressing to deadly counter-attacking. They have plenty of good players who can execute this tactic.
Leverkusen’s season performance
Q: How do you see Leverkusen’s performance this season?
Grimaldo: We went undefeated in the Bundesliga all season, which surprised a lot of people. Although we couldn’t continue our unbeaten run at the end of the season, we still ranked second in the Bundesliga, and the gap with top-of-the-table Bayern wasn’t too big. From a personal point of view, I’m very happy with the team’s performance.
Influence of Head Coach Xavi Alonso
Q: How do you rate manager Alonso?
Grimaldo: Coach Alonso always finds valuable lessons in everything. He tells us that every defeat is an opportunity to grow. For example, after losing to Bayern in the Champions League, he reminded us that every detail cannot be overlooked if we want to succeed on this stage. He hopes the team will learn from every loss and become more mature.
Is a return to Spain in the future?
Q: Do you want to return to play in Spain in the future?
Grimaldo: Of course, that is my goal. Even the Leverkusen hierarchy knows this. Spain is my country and playing and living in familiar surroundings would be fantastic for me.
Q: If Real Madrid were to be coached by Alonso in the future and they asked you to join them, would you accept?
Grimaldo: To be honest, I don’t know what coach Alonso will do in the future. It’s his own decision. But for me, I grew up from La Masia youth and spent seven or eight years at Barcelona, which made me the player and person I am today. My dream since I was a kid was to play for Barcelona and I still do.
Love of golf
Q: You once mentioned that Morata made you fall in love with golf, is that right?
Grimaldo: That’s right! Golf is a very good sport for the mind and body, it allows you to relax and enjoy the interaction with your friends, as well as improving concentration. Some of my teammates and I often meet up to play golf, and every time the national team trains, we talk about our recent progress.
Q: Is it possible to play golf at the Spanish national team’s training base?
Grimaldo: Unfortunately not! If it were possible, we would have competed long ago. However, every time the national team gathers, we discuss each other’s progress, and it’s a lot of fun.
The camaraderie of the national team members
Q: You once said that the Spanish team is like a big family, do you keep in touch when you return to your respective clubs?
Grimaldo: Of course, we have a WhatsApp group where we all communicate regularly. We are very close, both on and off the field. It’s this spirit of solidarity that makes us more in tune with each other during matches.
Special remembrance after Euro 2024
Q: Did you make any special remembrances after winning Euro 2024?
Grimaldo: Yes, I got a tattoo on my leg of me kissing the Euro trophy while my daughter was next to me. For me, this title is by far the most important honor and I wanted to remember it in this way.
Conclusion
This interview gives us more insight into Grimaldo’s confidence in the national team, his attitude towards personal growth and his plans for the future. He is not only an excellent defender, but also a player with clear goals and strong beliefs. Will he return to La Liga or even Barcelona in the future? Let’s wait and see!
