We were able to interview Carles Aleñá, a player who, despite being only 21, has already experienced the thrill of professional football, both by helping the reserve team secure promotion and by wearing the Fútbol Club Barcelona jersey for the first team. In the interview, we got to see a more personal side of him through his experiences. Aleñá wears adidas football boots, so we naturally wanted to ask him about sports kit.
INTERVIEW WITH CARLES ALEÑÁ / FÚTBOL CLUB BARCELONA PLAYER
*Fútbol Emotion: How did your relationship with the German brand adidas begin?
*Carles Aleñá: I remember it perfectly. After we were crowned champions of the Brunete national 7-a-side football tournament, adidas got in touch to ask me to wear their football boots. At the time, I couldn’t believe it; how could they offer me this when I was so young? From the age of 12 right up to today.
*F. E: If you could describe these adidas Predator football boots with one adjective, what would it be?
*C. A: Special, without a doubt.
*F. E: Do you know how many pairs of boots you wear each season?
*C. A: About five per season.
*F. E: Do you have any special boots in your collection?
*C. A: Yes, I only keep one pair of boots. The red adidas Predator 19+ boots I wore when I scored my first goal for Fútbol Club Barcelona’s first team. I treasure them dearly.
*F. E: Do you have a lucky charm?
*C. A: Yes, I do – I always have one with me. In my handbag, I always keep a rosary that my grandmother gave me and the Virgin of Lourdes, who I also have tattooed on my arm. It’s my lucky charm – something that brings me lots of luck.
*F. E: What is your earliest memory of football?
*C. A: Above all, I remember when I started out as a very young boy in the Barça youth academy. I also remember that I was two years younger than the rest of my teammates. Back then, I’d leave school early because a taxi would be waiting for me to take me to training at the Mini Estadi. It was tricky because I was only six or seven years old and I was playing with nine-year-olds – players who were also very good. I remember the training sessions at the ‘Mini’ perfectly.
*F. E: Have you ever Googled your name?
*C. A: (Laughs) I have looked it up a few times. I’ve been doing it a lot less recently, but I have looked for some of the compilation videos that are often posted, especially when matches finish and the highlights always come out. But to be honest, those Google searches were a few years ago.
*F. E: Following the construction of the Johan Cruyff Stadium, the Mini Stadi has been consigned to history. What will the boys and girls who won’t be able to enjoy this ground be missing out on?
*C. A: The Mini has always been a special ground, forming part of the history of Fútbol Club Barcelona. It has produced some truly great players whom we all know, such as Xavi, Andrés Iniesta and Leo Messi. I personally was able to enjoy this part of Barça’s history for many years, but what I’m sure of is that when something ends, something good is about to begin, and the Johan Cruyff Stadium will be a ground from which more Barça gems will emerge; it will be a second chapter in the story of the Mini Estadi.
*F. E: What is your fondest memory of the Mini Estadi?
*C. A: I’d say there are two, above all; the first would be when I made my debut for Barça “B”, when I was just a youth player. And the most important one – the moment that left the deepest impression on me at this ground – was when we were promoted to Segunda División against Racing de Santander. It was a wonderful day, full of emotion, with the stands packed to the rafters, and we were supported throughout by family and friends.
*F. E: What would you say to yourself from 10 years ago?
*C. A: To be honest, I’m not one for giving advice, but it’s true that I wouldn’t change much about what I’ve done; enjoy it to the full, make the most of every training session, just as I’ve been doing. Every moment as a footballer is a gift, as I feel privileged to be able to do what I love. Being at Barça, they make everything so easy for you and you have to appreciate that, as time flies by. Respect and enjoyment – I’d stick with those two.
*F. E: A hat-trick in the semi-finals or a goal in the final?
*C. A: Without a moment’s hesitation, a goal in the final.
*F. E: What would you be doing if football hadn’t come into your life?
*C. A: To be honest, it’s a question I’ve rarely asked myself. I can’t imagine my life without football. I’m sure that if I weren’t a footballer, I’d still be involved in the world of football, or in sport in general. I used to love the idea of becoming a coach, but as I said, I don’t even have time to take it all in and ask myself that question.
*F. E: And what would be the other sport apart from football?
*C. A: Most likely tennis – I love it.
