As Real Madrid prepares for their match against Malaga on Sunday, former player Fernando Sanz shared insights in an interview with AS (h/t Mundo Deportivo), discussing the recent developments at his former club and reflecting on his own career.
When asked about the summer transfer of midfielder Rodri, who ultimately signed with FC Barcelona despite being linked to Real Madrid, Sanz expressed his belief that the World Cup winner would have been a valuable addition to the team. He stated, “Yes. He would have been a great signing for Madrid. I didn’t understand it, but when I heard Mourinho say that he had doubts about coming, I understood it. If someone has doubts, it’s better that he doesn’t come.”
Moving on to discuss new signings for the team, Sanz indicated that he was particularly excited about Marc Cucurella. He noted, “Cucurella. We all have a lot of affection for him because of his character and the way he is, aside from how good he is on the pitch.”
Sanz also praised young striker Carlos Espi, emphasizing his potential as a future goalscorer for Real Madrid, claiming, “From the moment I saw him arrive, I said he was going to score a lot of goals. I don’t want to say he’s a new version of Joselu, but he is the type of striker Madrid needed. He has quality, talent, youth, ambition and an eye for goal. I’d bet he’ll score more than 20 goals in all competitions.”
Reflecting on a Difficult Departure
During the conversation, Sanz reflected on his challenging exit from Real Madrid, suggesting that his relationship to the previous president had influenced the circumstances. He stated, “It became unbearable, and that’s why I had to leave the club of my life even though I still had a contract.”
Sanz pointed out the psychological strain he experienced, stating, “Back then people didn’t talk about mental health, but having to endure that every week was psychologically very difficult, and there came a point when I couldn’t take it anymore.”
He remarked on the challenges he faced, saying, “I never understood why I was treated that way when I gave everything for the team while being the lowest-paid player, so I couldn’t demand anything.”
Sanz described how external pressures affected him significantly, adding, “Sometimes they used me in the media battles to try to hurt my father, and as a player I never managed to earn the affection of the fans despite playing great matches, such as the semi-final of the Seventh against Borussia Dortmund. There were whistles, jeers and insults that I could never digest. It was impossible to carry on like that.”
Sanz began his career at Real Madrid, making 45 first-team appearances before transferring to Malaga in 1999. He played as a centre-back for seven years, amassing over 200 appearances, and retired in 2006.
Ahead of Sunday’s Real Madrid Malaga, Fernando Sanz who played for both clubs, gave an interview to AS (h/t Mundo Deportivo), in which he discussed the latest developments at Real Madrid as well as aspects of his own career.
The son of former president Lorenzo Sanz was naturally asked about what happened with Rodri this summer.
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The Spanish midfielder eventually committed to FC Barcelona, despite appearing close to joining Real Madrid.
Sanz admitted the World Cup winner would have been a great signing for Real Madrid, but if he had doubts about a move, it was better he did not join the club.
“Yes. He would have been a great signing for Madrid. I didn’t understand it, but when I heard Mourinho say that he had doubts about coming, I understood it. If someone has doubts, it’s better that he doesn’t come,” he said.
Rodri chose Barcelona over Real Madrid (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
On Real Madrid’s new signings
Asked which signing has excited him most, Sanz was equally clear: “Cucurella. We all have a lot of affection for him because of his character and the way he is, aside from how good he is on the pitch.”
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Sanz also had plenty of praise for striker Carlos Espi, whom he believes can become an important goalscorer for his former team.
“From the moment I saw him arrive, I said he was going to score a lot of goals. I don’t want to say he’s a new version of Joselu, but he is the type of striker Madrid needed,” Sanz noted.
“He has quality, talent, youth, ambition and an eye for goal. I’d bet he’ll score more than 20 goals in all competitions,” he predicted.
A painful departure from Madrid
During the interview, Sanz also looked back on his difficult departure from Real Madrid, which he believes was largely influenced by him being the president’s son.
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“It became unbearable, and that’s why I had to leave the club of my life even though I still had a contract.”
“Back then people didn’t talk about mental health, but having to endure that every week was psychologically very difficult, and there came a point when I couldn’t take it anymore,” he recalled.
Fernando Sanz in action for Real Madrid legends. (Photo by Sebastian Widmann/Getty Images)
“I never understood why I was treated that way when I gave everything for the team while being the lowest-paid player, so I couldn’t demand anything,” Sanz added.
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He explained that the pressure came from several directions and that he sometimes became caught up in his father’s political and media battles, saying:
“Sometimes they used me in the media battles to try to hurt my father, and as a player I never managed to earn the affection of the fans despite playing great matches, such as the semi-final of the Seventh against Borussia Dortmund.
“There were whistles, jeers and insults that I could never digest. It was impossible to carry on like that.”
Having come through the ranks at Real Madrid, Sanz made 45 first-team appearances before leaving for Malaga in 1999. A centre-back by trade, he spent seven years at the club, making over 200 appearances, before retiring in 2006.
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