Sergi Gómez: “Luckily or unfortunately I have the best central team in Europe in my position”

Sergi Gomez (3-28-92, Arenys de Mar, Barcelona) does not present himself as the stereotype of a footballer that society has preconceived; in fact, he fights it. He has set up a school (Sergi Gómez Academy) to try to channel the little ones into those values ​​that it promulgates and with which his mouth fills. Study everything that falls into your hands: nutrition, yoga for footballers and even magic. “I always carry a deck of cards with me,” he confirms. And he is “happy” in Seville. “Every player wants to play more …”, recognize. But it has been, “luckily or unfortunately”, Koundé and Diego Carlos as rivals in the center of defense.

Starting at the end, how does the rest come after these months?

It tastes a bit glorious. In the end we have a rhythm, not only physical but mental, of many high-demand matches, in addition to travel. It has come perfect to catch some air and face what remains, which is very beautiful.

The head weighs even more, right? Have you ever asked which team you were playing the next game against?

(Laughs) Luckily we are very involved and we know what is the next day. We have put together two whole seasons without rest, in addition to the covid, the confinement … And this psychologically ends up exhausting you beyond the physical. Because we are elite athletes and sometimes our legs are more tired, but with recovery work you will recover. However, what is the head, travel, covid protocols, not being able to shower … Everything is especially longer.

How is this more than a year of pandemic?

In the end I think there is no valid excuse here, it has been the same for everyone. We have all experienced that negative part. You can look for many ways to approach that moment of being at home as an opportunity. You can always get positive things out of all this, no matter how horrible it was. I have taken this with positivism, wanting to learn new things and to help my colleagues, family and friends as much as possible in whatever way.

What personal projects have you taken advantage of to carry out? I’ve seen him doing yoga …

The subject of yoga is something that I already knew but I became fond of the topic of the pandemic. I am training to be able to exercise. I like very much. I have dedicated many hours to a personal project called Sergi Gómez Academy, which is more than a campus is a football training school. We teach values, education, food. Each of the values ​​that have helped me to be in the first division. From football, the little ones can learn many other things.

Does that generalization bother you with the footballer? Money, video games, frivolities …

In the end I would talk about humanizing the footballer or the world of football. We are people above all else. Children look at us with learning eyes. It costs nothing to give them little advice. That they grow as footballers and people. It is focused on learning to create better people.

Although you are young, after football what would you like to do or what path to take?

Soccer is clear that it has been my day to day in the last 25 years. I really like the sport itself. Enjoy a sport every day, train every day, share, live experiences that you would not live in your home or town. Looking ahead, I’m not worried. I think about my day to day. Those small formations that you can get. We have time to read, listen, learn from people who know from different fields and everything that is to soak up knowledge is positive.

How does the world handle social networks?

I like to have a control. Show my day to day without being excessive. What people want to see is the most human part of the footballer. I think everything or what I say is in line with my values. Show the most personal and familiar part. That little part of a trip, family, friends, dogs …

They say that you take great care in your diet. Do you already have six shakes for breakfast like Gudelj?

I’m in four … (laughs). It was not a joke. As a professional I know how important it is to take care of every detail. Food is a basic pillar for an elite athlete. I think that people are becoming more and more aware, not only athletes, of the importance of food. We push our body to the limit every day and it is key. It is also a subject in which I have been trained, I read a lot, I meet nutritionists, I resolve doubts, I inform myself … It is one more to more to be able to compete better and feel better.

There are players like Marcos Llorente who talks about his diet and whose performance has risen many integers.

It doesn’t guarantee success, but it does help. With what adds, with little that is, it already adds. Along with rest, invisible training (stretching, yoga, mental work …). There are endless things to do and complete you as a player. It guarantees you success, for nothing. Sum, without a doubt.

To all this, what is the Sevilla dressing room like?

I think the good vibes come to light, the friendship that exists within this wardrobe. Not only good footballers have been signed, but great people. We have been in a pandemic for a month and a half if our families normalize it and enjoy it. That’s the greatness of teams that get things done. The great key to success is that human group that we have at Sevilla.

He has already worn the captain’s armband.

In the end I think that my values ​​and attitude have always been the same. I consider myself a hard-working person, who is always available to the team. I know of the historical importance of the bracelet. It has been a pride to be able to represent the team with that bracelet.

What exactly happened that day of the Mute and his refusal to take the bracelet?

It is clear that sometimes things can be taken out of context. Mudo has been here a long time and loves the club. There is nothing else.

And the other day he was seen crying … Is he one of these people who transmit an image that does not correspond to reality?

In the end, those of us inside know the person inside each player. What we have generated in there is worth gold, it cannot be defined in words. It is clear that he can score that goal and it is normal for him to get excited after the year he has lived.

Coming back to you, no matter how much the coach uses him as an example of professionalism and camaraderie, I imagine that he would like to play more …

It is clear that any player wants to play everything. You have to understand that we are many players, many high-level players, and luckily or unfortunately I have the best central team in Europe in my position. So my attitude has always been to work hard for when it’s my turn to play. I would like to play more but it is the situation that exists.

He had proposals in summer but I understand that the club itself stopped them … Where could he have gone?

In the end it is clear that when you are comfortable in a place, you believe in a project and you are integrated into it, because there are some things that weigh more than others. There were options but our priority was to continue here and give continuity to the project.

Where do you see yourself next year? Are you considering it?

In principle you already know how each market is going. It is a pandemic and atypical year. Peace of mind and the future will decide.

He’s already been at Sevilla for three years, if you look back, what summary can you do?

I am proud and very happy to continue being part of the history of this great club. When I was little I thought about Sevilla and they were big words. To be able to get to this stadium, to feel our people, to feel what our anthem means, when the rivals come here and they also feel it … It cannot be described in words. Being able to enjoy everything that I am enjoying at Sevilla is something wonderful.

We are going for the team again, have you been able to see the semifinal against Barcelona repeated?

No. Practically because we haven’t had much time. Clearly it was a tough time. The team has raised its head and we continue to win.

How did you feel when you saw that final slip away?

It was a tough time but it is part of this blessed sport. Things in life are how you deal with them. You always want to live in a positive aspect. How you face the situation is the best way to get out of this hard moment to live other good ones.

What is the roof of Sevilla?

Our objective is very clear: to stay several seasons in a row in Champions squares and for this to be our base camp, as the president says. Dreaming is free and this year there has even been talk of Sevilla champion and those things … You can dream, but our goal was to make a solid block, that we were in the Champions League and continue to grow as a club.

I’m going to ask you for two proper names: Koundé and Bryan.

I think that as footballers you only need to see one of their games to see their potential. The room for improvement they have left is brutal. It is a pleasure and a marvel to share training and games with them. And teach them things. Bryan when he went up was always asking things, how do you do this or that. As people, spectacular. I have a very nice relationship with Jules. I am learning some French at your side because we are bus companions. He spends all day watching NBA recaps on his mobile.

There are ten days of the League. Should Sevilla look up or down?

I do not have doubts. We always want to look up. We have a few points difference with the fifth, but we have to keep adding and winning.

I know you are a magician or an apprentice magician, who would like to do a trick on you?

Apprentice? (Laughs)

Sorry, wizard with all honors.

I was going to correct you. (Laughs) If you really know me, you know that I always carry a deck with me. I have been lucky to meet and share magical moments with great magicians from Spain.