Vicente del Bosque: "Barça would have won the same with or without Negreira"

Vicente del Bosque (Salamanca, 1950) continues to watch the same football as when he was training.

Thomas Osborne
Thomas Osborne
02 March 2023 Thursday 12:31
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Vicente del Bosque: "Barça would have won the same with or without Negreira"

Vicente del Bosque (Salamanca, 1950) continues to watch the same football as when he was training. "Only the way of living it has changed, but I have always enjoyed it," he tells La Vanguardia. Of course, the former Real Madrid coach, player and coach will not miss the Bernabéu Cup classic. He will analyze it with almost the same uncertainty with which he lives the moment that Spanish football is going through.

Do you watch a lot of football?

Yes, I am a man of customs and soccer is my passion. I watch the same football as before, the only thing that has changed is the way I watch it. Now I do it for pleasure, without thinking further.

What do you think of the level of the League after the departure of footballers like Messi, Neymar or Cristiano Ronaldo?

They have been significant losses. But football doesn't stop. Some leave and others arrive. It is the law of life. I am not one of those catastrophic people who believe that the level of Spanish football has dropped. I think there is talent in Spain, and we will have the proof in the next European Championship. I think we are fine.

So it's not urgent to sign Håland or Mbappé to raise the level of interest?

I believe that money does not create teams. The teams are built from the training and for this reason the key point must be the quarry. If someone who is very good comes, then better, we are not going to get exquisite. But signing and signing should not be the key to building a good team.

After the pandemic, are quarries working better?

For some years the clubs look more at the quarry. Not to always talk about them, I think a lot about Villarreal, Real Sociedad or UD Las Palmas in the Second Division. They are taking out good players, there is a good base and they always have good seasons.

Today the Cup classic is played. Semifinals at the Bernabeu. Barça and Madrid arrive at very different times.

Uncertainty is the feeling that best defines this type of classic. Whatever the timing of each team, you never know who is going to win. Everything is speculation. We are going to experience a Cup tie that will surely be a show, and both Barcelona and Real Madrid will show that they are two great clubs. I dare not opt ​​for any favourite.

Do you like Vinicius?

I really like how he plays, yes. Regarding the controversies generated by their dances and their style, I am nobody to talk about this matter.

Barcelona arrives without Pedri. Are you one of those who believes that there is Pedridependencia?

I don't believe it. I think that clubs are built from united and united teams. I don't think Barcelona without Pedri would stop being a team. You have alternatives.

Nor will Lewandowski be...

It's a shame, because in the big events the great players have to be on the pitch. But I still think that good teams are created by groups despite very talented individuals. You don't have to cry. The templates are there for you to use.

Is there a League?

Of course. This is very long. Throughout the season we tend to write things off too quickly. And it turns out that everything can change in just two weeks both at the top of the table and at the bottom. But since it's football and everything goes very fast, we forget about it right away.

How have you experienced the Negreira scandal?

I defend football more than the clubs. The Negreira case is bad behavior by someone who seriously harms a sport that, even though there are mistakes, has always been beautiful and clean. It's a great shame because it tarnishes the image of FC Barcelona, ​​but also that of Spanish football. And in the end I think that Barcelona would have won the same with and without Negreira. Just like Real Madrid.

What is your opinion of the Super League?

I am not a supporter. I don't like. The Super League has been created to generate amounts of money that would only benefit the most powerful clubs and especially their footballers. It will not reverse either in women's football or in grassroots football. And that hinders the march of the little ones, who are also football.

Do you follow women's soccer?

Not in depth, but I have seen the evolution that has been made. I arrived at the RFEF in 2008 and I would tell you that in the last 20 years it has been greatly stimulated. Barcelona has a certain advantage in that.

How did you experience the departure of Sergio Ramos from the national team?

Luis de la Fuente has always spoken with affection, respect and affection towards him. I thought it was good that I called him to inform him of his decision. In the end, Sergio Ramos is a footballer who has played 180 games with the national team. I personally wish Luis all the luck.

Who is the best player you have ever seen?

I have always said that among those I have known in so many years in football, for me Messi is the best. For his regularity and for his quality. In the World Cup he made Argentina champion and it is a very difficult achievement. In his case, it is a triumph that goes beyond his coach and all his teammates because of who he is, but they have all helped him to be the best. That is also football.

Would you like him to return to Barça?

That is a very personal decision that belongs to Leo first and then to Barcelona.