Last Saturday, against Albacete Balompié, young Antoñín became player number 357 to take part in an official match with Málaga CF. The Club media had a chat with the Malaguista forward to find out how he felt as he made his debut, and to get to know more about this homegrown player who put on a good performance at the Carlos Belmonte.
What went through your head before you walked on to the pitch?
“Before stepping on to the pitch, a thousand memories came back to me from when I was a child. Every training session, every match… fighting for a dream. Thank God I had an opportunity last weekend, I’m very happy”.
What did the coach say to you?
“The coach is a very approachable, affectionate person. He’s like that with all the players, not just me. He told me to stay calm, as I’ve been doing all these years, and to not change anything”.
Would you like to debut at home?
“That has always been the dream, to play a match at La Rosaleda. In the end that’s what all Malaguistas strive for, to play for the team of our city. It’s a dream I’ve had since I was young, and I’d like for it to come true”.
Few people know you trained in the youth ranks of Schalke 04
“It was a short experience, but was another experience in my life, although it was a little difficult. The language barrier, I was very young, I was on my own, it was a tough experience. That said, it’s a German club with great prestige and quality players”.
You took part in a Copa de Campeones, what a team you had!
“Hugo, Ramón, Kellyan, Hicham… I have so many memories of the hotel, travelling, training for the Copa de Campeones”.
You have a special relationship with Luis Muñoz, correct?
“Luis Muñoz is like a brother to me. I grew up with him in CD 26 de Febrero and we were together every day”.
How do you define yourself?
“I’m a player with speed, a fighter, I never give up on a ball. Since I was young I was taught that, to fight for every ball. On the day of my debut the coach said to me: ‘Trust in yourself, take it and think about what you want, like you did when you were young’. These are my virtues, so I try to take advantage of them”.
A dream?
“I used to be a ball boy and I remember Fede Ricca was on the wing and asked me for the ball. I was so nervous. A dream to fulfill? To play at La Rosaleda”.
