All the statements of the Spanish defender, who has now become a real cornerstone of Lazio in recent seasons
There Lazio And Patric, a now indissoluble combination that has been going on for almost a decade. After a difficult adaptation period, the Spaniard has become, over time, a real pillar of this team. From the beginning of his career until 200 appearances for the Biancocelestithe defender spoke about himself on the company’s official channel in a long interview.
“If a few years ago they had told me that I would reach 200 appearances with this shirt, as well as this status, I would still have believed it. When I arrived I was a child, both in football and in life. I am a sensitive person: when we talk about players sometimes we only think about the pitch, but we must remember that we are people. Playing football includes many aspects. I have always worked and fought, I always went to two thousand. I have managed to mature in many aspects and I am happy to have reached this point.
The perfect match? There isn’t one. I live everything to the fullest. For the importance, obviously, playing the Champions It has a special flavour. Winning against Bayern at the Olimpico is incredible, it has a special place in my heart. When I arrived I knew Lazio because it is a historic club, plus I believed that in Italy I would learn a lot before I arrived. Obviously, I didn’t imagine I could stay for so many years. My only thought was just playing football, the Italian mentality slowly entered me and helped me get to where I am now.
As I said before, changing appearance is also part of growing up. I found a balance off the pitch and that helped me in my career. Only I believed I could reach certain levels, for several months I worked in the shadows without anyone knowing. My first experience away from home was at Villareal, for me and my family it was a big change. My father is not a big football fan, nor is my mother. At twelve years old this call came, I have to thank them because they listened to me and allowed me to go there. Our family is very close. We have a WhatsApp group all together, when we can we have lunch together on Sundays.
Patricio was my grandfather, but it seemed too adult a name to me. At school they started calling me Patricand then this always remained until I put it on the back of my shirt. Number 4? I’ve always liked it, even for my idols Sergio Ramos and Dani Alves. I’m not someone who always watches football, sometimes I try to differentiate what I see. If there’s a good match I’ll definitely watch it, but every now and then it’s also right to unplug. I always like to outdo myself, play against strong players who are difficult to mark. That’s the beauty of football, that of facing the best.
It’s true that I’m not that tall, I have other characteristics. In fact, I wasn’t born as a central defender. I prefer carrying the ball and defending in other ways, rather than using physicality. I always say that things happen for a reason, I don’t like to complain about what could have been and wasn’t. I am happy and proud of my journey. Now I have found my position on the pitch, when I was younger it helped me to be a full-back because it gave me the opportunity to play with the Barcelona youth team. Then I did the fifth with Inzaghi, a role that didn’t suit my characteristics, but I was small and didn’t have the strength to say that I didn’t like it.
Messi and Barcelona? Before the debut I knew I could play because Dani Alves was injured and there were no full-backs. I had already been called up a few times, then I had the opportunity to come in and play with those phenomena. Messi has always behaved very well with me, as has Mascherano. My agent is very close to them, so this helped me even when I was starting out. I believe Mbappe, Halaand and Bellingham are the future.
The most difficult attacker to mark? More than attackers, it’s difficult for me to mark wingers. The Comans, Sanè… When you find them during the day, it’s really difficult to keep up with them. I personally suffer more from the attacker who continually attacks you on the pitch, rather than the physical striker who showers you with his shoulder. Guardiola? I experienced it all firsthand. My first day at the stadium was Pedro’s debut with Barcelona, I saw all the “firsts” of him. We with Barcelona B practically lived inside the stadium, so I always had the opportunity to see these phenomena.
The biggest craziness a fan has done for me? The guys who work for Glovo (laughs). They often return to the house. From Lazio’s past I would have liked to play with Simeone, I like those types of players who convey this particular energy. He’s someone who always goes to two thousand, even as a coach.
Lazio are incredible. Even in difficult moments, I felt something special for this team. This environment is like a family, then at certain moments you get emotional alone, it means that there is something truly special. It’s my favorite team, all the people who come here realize how beautiful it is to play here. The fans are incredible: we have always had our values for the shirt. For me, the beauty in life is being an example. I like that children or parents can tell my story to future generations, this is my greatest wish.
A player who could have done more here is Ravel Morrison. Football, however, is not just about having talent. It also depends on who is around you, it’s not always the player’s fault and that’s it. Having the right advice, a relaxed mind can help a lot. In training he had superior qualities, in tight spaces he did incredible things. The head always makes the difference. Instead, as soon as I saw it Sergei I understood that it would be a phenomenon. Physically and technically he was superior, he had a different quality from the rest.
Now off the field it’s a good moment for me. Each of us has our own story, above all we must not judge from the outside. I deserved where I am now, I am serene and calm with myself. You must never lower your head, life is not always the same and sometimes it puts you to the test. Now I am a mature person, I can manage both positive and negative emotions. The Depression? Sometimes we think too much about others and not enough about ourselves. There was a time when I wasn’t able to play, but I didn’t want to disappoint anyone. There were so many injured people, I couldn’t back out. This, however, also helped me a lot. Suffering in that moment, in that way, allowed me to grow and become who I am now.
At that moment someone knew about my situation, but not too much. I also sometimes get panic attacks on airplanes when traveling, but I didn’t want to share too much. I made a mistake in not asking for help sooner, but that’s something I realized later. I didn’t feel like doing anything at that time, even just getting out of bed was difficult. Covid also knocked me down, I was alone and I didn’t know how to handle the situation. Seeing the news, seeing people feeling bad was really difficult for me.
Covid season? We would have played it until the end. Against Bologna I had that feeling there, the last match before the closure of the stadiums. That also affected my mental situation, it was my best moment, as well as the team’s, and then we were closed for months. The match against Cagliariwith a goal from Caicedo, is definitely the craziest match of my career.
I really like music, if I hadn’t been a footballer I probably would have chosen that path. However, I don’t think about being sung one day, for me it’s just a hobby. Rome? It’s an incredible city, it enters your heart. When the streets are almost empty, in the evening, I like to take a walk with my girlfriend. Walking around this city is special. The Roman word I hear the most is “Ao” (laughs). Italian food is amazing, I love to eat. I don’t have a favorite dish, because I really like everything. Even the simplest vegetable is different from the rest of the world.
At the end of my career I don’t know where I will live, I decided to buy a house here because I feel comfortable in Rome. There are still a few years to go, I still have time to make this decision. However, I will definitely always stay where my parents will stay. Ideal holiday? Always sea. The greatest lesson I can give? You must always listen to your heart and soul. Don’t listen to others, but think about yourself first. It’s nice to hear the fans being proud of me when I meet them in the city“.
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