For many years he has been the best example of what Luis de la Fuente often boasts about, the good attitude of the substitutes of the Spanish national team that helps foster a good atmosphere. Mikel Oyarzabal (Éibar, 1997) has never shown a bad face for not playing, he has worked in silence, with the discretion that accompanies his figure, until becoming an undisputed part of Spain’s engine since his goal in the final of the last Eurocup. With a calmness that is contagious, a shy smile, and utmost professionalism, the Basque speaks to La Vanguardia in the depths of the Cotton Bowl in Dallas.
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He is on the verge of a World Cup semifinal, had you ever dreamed of getting this far?
At some point I have thought about it, both as a child and now that I have the opportunity to be here. Having in mind to do well I think is positive, without going crazy, but yes, having it in your head.
And how is it handled in the locker room? Are there nerves, anxiety, eagerness…?
We are calm, trying to recover in the best way the effort from two days ago. So much travel and so many time changes is not ideal, but we focus on training, resting, and recovering our legs.
France’s attack is scary…
They are a great team, with huge names, but we have shown, both against them and other teams, that we are capable of standing up to them, and we will try to make sure this time is no different.
Third consecutive semifinal against France, Spain won the previous two. Does that count for anything?
It counts to say that we have been capable, but it is of little use now. It serves more to take pressure off us. No matter how good a team they are, if we have already faced them before, I think we can do it again now.
The semifinal
“France is a great team but we have already shown we can stand up to them”
There has been great collective work to reach the semifinals, but individually, how do you feel?
I am happy, glad to play, to have minutes, to be able to help the team. But I have always said that on days when I don’t score, I will try to help in other ways, because what matters is that, collectively, things go well.
But you arrived at the World Cup touched by a wand, scoring and assisting in almost every match…
I feel good, comfortable, physically I am fine, without mishaps, and I think that also helps confidence. Many times that feeling on the field is either there or not, and the ball falls to you or it doesn’t.
You had a streak of 12 matches scoring or assisting and suddenly went half an hour without touching the ball against Cape Verde, what did you think when you found out about this statistic?
The truth is I don’t care much. I did what I had to do so the team would benefit, making movements and runs against such a low block as Cape Verde’s. It is very difficult to touch the ball when you have so many people inside. It remains as an anecdote.
But during the match did you have that feeling?
I was focused on the game and didn’t notice.
As a locker room reference, do you plan to send any message, especially to the younger ones?
It’s about conveying calm, zero nervousness, and that they be themselves. That they don’t put more pressure on themselves than they already have for being here, but simply play football, which is what they do best.
About Lamine, De la Fuente always repeats that he is very eager, very motivated, and that this must be controlled so it doesn’t turn into anxiety. What role do your teammates play in this?
In general, us, the midfielders, the environment… it’s everyone’s role. The impact of everything Lamine is doing is inevitable. We have to help him by conveying that calm and zero nervousness.
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Do you think they bother you a lot with Lamine?
A little. If we ask one by one, in the end he might get 26 questions. More than us, it affects him, and it’s better for him not to give it importance and stay calm.
Your values
“I am proud of the education I have received and success will not change me”
Do you live isolated from the outside or are you one of those who knows what is said about you and the team?
Whether you want it or not, something always reaches you, with the media and social networks. But the important thing is what you do with it, the importance you give it.
Maradona, Romário… traditionally it has been said that great forwards had small feet, until you came with a size 47 and are the top scorer of the national team. Have you received any funny teasing?
Many people have commented on it throughout my career… but it remains an anecdote. It has been with me all my life.
The adjective most repeated when defining you is “atypical”. Do you feel like an atypical footballer?
I don’t know. I consider myself a calm person, who doesn’t go crazy, who likes calm, being close to his people. I think there are many others who resemble me in that.
Not everyone resembles you?
No, not everyone. But that’s also the beauty of football: today’s plurality, that anyone, from anywhere or with any personality, can play and be here.
Among other things, you have a university degree, something unusual among footballers…
It has been seven years since I finished, and I keep a nice memory. It wasn’t easy, but sharing two years on campus with my friends helped me a lot, inside and outside football. They lived the university life more than I did, but they understood me and helped me in everything they could.
Studying, was it something of your own or was it imposed by your parents, with that “if you want to dedicate yourself to football you have to study”?
No, I didn’t dislike studying, it was something I liked and was good at. When I entered university I hadn’t debuted with the first team yet, and once inside I set out to finish it, combining it with football.
Was it very difficult?
Like everything. There are days that are harder, days when you are lazier. But it’s like everything in life: it’s about getting through what you set out to do.
Of the values instilled in you at home, which one makes you most proud?
I couldn’t have had a better education than the one I received from my parents and all their environment. I am very proud of the person I am and the values they have instilled in me. I will try to do the same with mine.
Do you think that has helped you get to where you are?
I think it’s my way of being, my way of acting throughout my life. And being here is not going to change it, nor has it changed it.
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