Celta open the doors of the Madroa to LFP.es (I)

He was born in Ferrol but he is making his mark elsewhere, in his adopted city of Vigo. Álex López (11-01-1988) is full of praise for his club: “Celta has given me everything”. But he has not forgotten that he had to cut his teeth in the third division before coming to the Liga BBVA: “Narón was like my second family. There I learned to value what does not come easily in professional football”.

LFP.es: You made your Liga Adelante debut at Racing de Ferrol and then left for Narón Balompié, in the Tercera División. Now that you are in the Liga BBVA, how do you see the experience? 
Álex López: It was a period of learning, among the best I have had, because it really helped me. I learned to value what does not come easily in professional football. I coincided with teammates who were very experienced and I learned from them. It was an unforgettable memory; it was like a second family. Now I can say that I made the right decision.

"The stats show that Celta are committed to their academy; it is the right path for the club"

LFP.es: Although you were born in Ferrol, you have made a name for yourself in Vigo. What has it given you as a person and a Celta player? 
Álex López: From the first day I arrived at the club’s reserves they had confidence in me. I had the chance to play the preseason with the first team, where I coincided with Paco Herrera, who is the person who gave me the chance to be where I am today. Without a doubt, as a person and a player, they have given me everything: I have matured, I have grown and enjoyed so many experiences. I consider it my home. Celta is a really great club.

LFP.es: Do you think Celta uses and looks after its academy? 
Álex López: Yes, the stats are there. When I was at Narón and I got the chance to join Celta’s reserves, I accepted because I knew it was a club that trusted and gave opportunities to the players coming up: we have 17 or 18 year olds who have already played 20 matches in the Liga BBVA, and very few clubs do that. It is the right path for this club.

"Paco Herrera affected me because he drove me; Luis Enrique creates great conditions"

LFP.es: Who was your favourite midfielder as a kid; the sticker you always wanted in your album? 
Álex López: I’ve never been one to have idols, but I grew up in the era of Zidane. I also really like Valerón, because I played as an attacking midfielder when I was young and I followed players more in that position. Pirlo is another player I admired and the current players would be the Xavis and Iniestas as they are players that we like because they defined an era with Spain and their club.

LFP.es: Is Eusebio the coach who affected you most? 
Álex López: Of course, I’m very thankful to him because he gave me my debut, but I think Paco Herrera had a greater effect, as he drove me to be in the first team. However, I would choose Luis Enrique because he affected all of us. He is a great coach, who creates great conditions.

"This team still has room for improvement, we haven’t reached our limit"

LFP.es: With three years of experience since returning to the Liga BBVA, where do you notice the improvement in the team? 
Álex López: The first season was very tough and hard; the proof of that is that we saved ourselves in the last match when nobody gave us a chance. The core of the team is still there and now the young players have more matches under their belts. Before we were unable to cope with certain situations in games and now we do that more naturally. In addition, the newcomers this year have given us more quality. The good thing is that we still have room to improve. We haven’t reached our limit.

LFP.es: Have you realised your dream as a player? 
Álex López: When you start as a kid you don’t think too much about being a professional footballer but when you grow up it is your dream to achieve the maximum possible and you want to play in the Liga BBVA. In my case I have achieved that and hopefully it will continue as that is what we work for day by day.