C. Puga: “This is the moment when I’m going to reach my highest level”

Renewal and future

“Very happy to be able to share this news. I want to keep enjoying it, just as I’ve been doing for the past two years.”

“It’s three more years. That’s more time than I’ve already been here, since I’ve been here for two years. For me, renewing for three years is a real joy. Hopefully soon, or when two or three years have gone by, I’ll be able to make another video saying that I’ve renewed for even more years.”

“This is the moment when I believe I can reach my highest level. It’s about age, you often hear that at 27 or 28 you gain experience and reach what’s now called your prime. I hope I can get to that level and make everyone enjoy it.”

Málaga, his home and an incredible promotion

“I already said it when I arrived. I just came for six months. My two goals were to earn promotion with Málaga to the Second Division and to renew my contract. What I experienced in those six months was something I had never experienced before. The promotion, bringing 30,000 people into the stadium here… and so many beautiful moments. Shortly after renewing, my wife became pregnant. My daughter was born here. I have my family very close by, and my partner’s family as well. The closeness of my family, the way the Club has treated me, the fans… everything has made taking this step very easy.”

“To this day, aside from the birth of my daughter, the happiest day of my life was the day of the promotion. I don’t think we’ll live something like that again. I hope we do live it again, but it will be very difficult to match.”

“I took a gamble by coming here. I was absolutely sure that if my career was going to move forward, it would be tied to the club.”

Malaguista fans

“I always tell this anecdote. It was in the match against Intercity, with Roberto’s goal. In that game, Dioni left in an ambulance. I remember that goal and my ears were ringing. I think about it and I get goosebumps. My ears were ringing. In the end, you get used to living in that situation, with that tension, but every time you go out you feel those butterflies in your stomach and that tension that keeps you focused in the match. The crowd fires you up, it’s spectacular.”

Consolidation

“To be able to play many more matches, it’s three years. To reach 100 or 200 games, but above all, for my daughter to grow up here for many years. A city like Málaga is very beautiful to see and to enjoy. I hope that soon she’ll be able to come to the stadium and enjoy what I experience every day.”

Current dynamic

“This moment was bound to come. After many defeats, the team is playing well. The confidence of those who had lost it has returned. If those players are sharp, and those of us at the back are just a little bit solid… they make the difference, and that’s what’s giving us those points. On top of that, we’ve improved as a team.”

Individual and collective

“I arrived as an attacking full-back, a bit different from what Jokin was, who was more defensive. The idea was to look for that difference. I think I’ve grown as a footballer and improved defensively, that was my goal for improvement. Maybe I’m not as attacking as I was when I first arrived, but I think I’m a more complete player than when I came.”

“It’s difficult to score a goal, but hopefully I can. If it’s at La Rosaleda, even better. It would be something very special.”

“Being able to play with Málaga CF in the First Division is the goal I’ve set for myself over these three years.”