On 30th March Juankar turned 30. A birthday where he celebrated a new decade confined at home due to the global pandemic. Accompanied by his wife and daughter, the third captain of the Malaguista squad hasn’t lost his smile and maintains daily contact with his family in Madrid. He is making the most of this time to continue training, he’s in good physical shape and affirms that there’s a lot of football left in him yet. His hobby is playing the playstation at home, but he is also enjoying cooking and discovering the joy of doing puzzles with the family. He misses seeing his teammates but admits that now he has time to spend the weekends with his daughter.
Juankar is learning a lot about the confinement and gives us his view about returning to the pitch. All this and more in this interview that brings out the more personal side of the left winger.
The fifth week of working at home, Juankar. How are you doing?
It’s starting to weigh heavy but I’m doing fine. I’m getting used to the daily routine of being at home, training and being very careful about what I eat.
On a physical level, how are you getting on during the break in competition?
Physically I’m doing pretty well. It’s a pity as not just me, but the entire team, was in a positive dynamic. We were doing well and it’s such a shame that due to such uncontrollable circumstances we’re in this situation. Hopefully it will be resolved soon, and we can get back to doing what we all want to do.
You’re a chatty person and a bit of a joker. Mentally, are you still strong?
Yes, I’m still strong. However, there are moments that you can’t control, and you get a bit down, especially in this situation. Everything becomes more of an uphill struggle.
You’re one of the team’s ‘veterans’. How are the rest of the team getting on?
I think they’re doing really well to be honest. We have a fantastic group, a very healthy dressing room because there’s such a great relationship between everyone. I’m looking forward to seeing all my teammates again and sharing the day to day with them.
You turned 30 recently. Do you see yourself as more mature from a personal and footballing aspect?
The years keep adding up and I feel more mature in that sense, it’s what the years of experience bring you. Hopefully I’ve got a lot of years of football left as this profession is a gift.
How do you envision returning to the competition? Do you think it’s feasible in the short to medium-term?
I think that more than the short to medium-term, I see the return to competition as more viable in the long-term due to the circumstances. We all talk about it but it’s a delicate subject and we need to be so careful. Particularly in the world of football which involves the movement of so many people, we have to be cautious.
Unfortunately, your city has been the focal point of COVID-19 in Spain. How are your people in Boadilla del Monte? Do you have lots of video calls?
Thank God my people, my friends and family are all fine. The city is really suffering, the epicentre of the pandemic in Spain is there, which is why I want to send everyone all my strength, not just in Madrid but the whole of Spain and the rest of the world. This is something we’re all suffering.
What do you miss from the normal routine and what are you learning from this situation?
Being with my teammates every day. Having the routine of getting up, going to training, making jokes and spending time them, preparing all week to compete at the weekend, it’s a feeling only we know. In terms of learning, this is a difficult time and thinking about it all the time is the worst thing we can do. We are going to try to enjoy what we have, know how to value things we are unable to enjoy at the moment, which is being able to go out. It’s time to reassess and prioritise things that we didn’t before.
We suppose you can do things now that you didn’t before, is that right?
Yes, above all spending more time with my daughter as she’s not at school either. You have to make the most of the day. Of course, certain situations are difficult with her, but I’m grateful for being able to spend time with my family as we usually can’t at the weekends because of work. I’m also enjoying spending more time in the kitchen.
This month, what film, series, book or leisure activity would you recommend?
I’m enjoying doing puzzles with the family, we really have a good time. Another of the activities is playing the playstation, ‘Call of Duty’. I’m doing as much as I can being at home all day. I also play this game with my friends as it’s another way to stay in contact with the people I love.
It’s rare not seeing you smile or be happy. What would you say to the Malaguista follower who is watching, reading or listening to you to convey your positivity?
I send all my strength and encouragement to everyone working so hard to fight this situation, I’m sure it will all be over soon. You are the true heroes and I look forward to seeing you all again at La Rosaleda. I think Málaga and Málaga CF deserve so many positive things, so stay strong and we’ll get there.
