Andres Iniesta: “I didn’t leave the pain, I tried to cover it, and football has comforted me.” Football Sport

Andres Iniesta (Ventellella, Albaset; 40 years old) lives while playing. He spoke to the same temporary suspension and sweetness that threatened the ball. He always had the determination to look forwardTo end the task, to finish what is implemented. At the age of twelve, when he left his house for his will to become a football player, and at the 24th, when he shook him dark, he did not expect him. Today, he talks about those concerns and doubts that appeared while Culés shouted the goal of Stamford Bridge and all Spaniards in complete harmony. Another goal of his life, the person who scored the Spanish shirt in South Africa. He made him immortal. And in a manner at the same time. The depression was struck in 2009, the year in which his friend Danny Grouk died. He speaks in a book, The mind also plays (Ed.aspaasa, 2025), which was returned to Barcelona by Saint Jordi. “I always felt comfortable talking about it. I had no humility to talk about things that were not pink in my life. It’s part of me,” he confessed.

Ask. In the book, he reviews how 12 years old he decided that he would leave his family and go to live in La Masia, in Barcelona. only. How did this tear and weigh this decision to his career?

answer. I would like to say that there are two parts. One of them is sport and familiar, which was unable to improve; And the last more personal, which made me an invoice, for sure and my families. For this separation, how I faced things. I am convinced that such a decision, in the end, must pay.

D. Despite all this darkness, as you call it, despite depression, he admits that he has always found comfort in the ball, in the game. His love for clashes with football with “I hate tennis” from Agasi Or with those who took a distance from the competition to be fine. How was he able to separate these two parts?

R. Because football was my life, my passion, and the way I expressed the best and where I was happier. This was the part that comforted me until the inner pain I had, and I did not let it come out or tried to cover it in one way or another. Thus, these two worlds lived. Football won. Even with the passage of time, the return was taking a little and that the other inner world said, “Hey, I was here inside.”

I have always arrived ten minutes before the start of my session with the psychologist; But there may be people who do not feel chemistry with professionalism

D. Sport breaks taboo, to be speaking at the end of the importance of mental health.

R. It has improved a lot. and Not only because there are public people who have expressed It has been cooperated to feel, express, or talk to others. Certainly, there is still a lot to go, because it is difficult to say that you are not satisfied. It is considered symptoms of weakness.

D. Why are there still athletes who refuse to help a psychiatrist?

R. Because we are not the same. Not everyone uses the same mechanisms to get out of different situations. It is not easy to meet that person who makes you feel satisfied, and who helps you. I have always arrived ten minutes before the start of my session with the psychologist; But there may be people who do not feel chemistry with professionalism. Therefore, I always try to speak from a personal field, without advice or lessons. I just try to tell my experience, my story, and share it; If someone reads him feels that he is specific and helps him in some of his life conditions, this is great.

You are lucky to meet Guardiola, there will be those who say “if you don’t want to train, on Sunday, don’t play”

D. What environment was breathing in a football wardrobe 10 or 15 years ago? How important is pain or doubts to stay in such a competitive environment?

R. The atmosphere was huge! Then each one was on the plot of our things. I was lucky to meet and participate with the coach who I had and training staff; And they understood this at that time. Because everyone cannot feel this rapprochement. There will be those who say “if you don’t want to train, on Sunday, don’t play.”

D. Did he talk to the coach, who was in those years Pep Guardiola?

R. Yes, the coach and training staff were aware from the start. The fact that I can go to training anymore is no longer the training of the training because I was wrong, it was good. They felt the participants and helped me. Without this understanding, it was practically impossible to get out of there.

D. He left Barcelona at the same exceptionally Before risk a secondary role in the team. How important and difficult to know how to leave on time for high competition?

R. You never know the certainty of what should be the next step. But I felt it at that time, how I was and I felt that I could get it. He could have been different because he had very good stability here, in Barcelona. It was difficult to make the decision to leave. I also knew that if I was clear, my decision would be and I would be convinced of doing this.

D. It was not withdrawal. He wanted to continue playing. And he went to Japan, which is an ideal destination to be in harmony?

R. It was one of the greatest and wonderful surprises that I had and we had a family. Both professional and personal. This was the first time that we came out and which joined us a lot. It was a little decision of the last minute. We were going to China, but that was a bit late and the Japan project came, they wanted to build something beautiful. From the first moment, although the beginnings are always difficult, they strike us. There they welcomed us incredibly, with a lot of gratitude. Somehow we feel a lot. We were five years and were wonderful.

D. And with all these educational bag, experiences, concerns, trips and move … a family is formed with five children. Explain how they do.

R. I have no answer. You have to make another book to explain. We try to take it in the best possible way. They are very well, they are good, and their moments of madness at home, which is sometimes welcome … I understand it is difficult to imagine, but we are fine. It is clear that the weight that my wife has is essential. There is no doubt.

D. You cannot be in Carroja on Saturday for the final of the cup, but how do you see Barcelona?

R. I am optimistic. They can get this first title of the year. I see the huge team, with confidence in the face of these months This still knows that these are the matches that determine whether the titles have been won or not, and this is difficult.

D. What do you like more than the team directed by Flick?

R. They are transferred when they play. This joy, that speed, the relationship they have, vitality in the game. What affects more is that feeling as a living team, with a soul, is eager … regardless of the quality they have.

D. When will we see Iniesta as a coach?

R. still. I am still in the initial process. But I love it and I would like to be.