Ignacio de Arruabarrena (Montevideo, 1997) is the stylish goalkeeper in Portugal. MD talks to the goalkeeper of Arouca, who is the revelation of the Portuguese championship, whose European positions are three points behind. He spent three days in a row leaving his goal at zero and his name began to ring loudly in Europe, where he jumped last summer at the age of 25. Another step in a career focusing on the great dream he had since he was young: to be the goalkeeper of the Uruguayan team. It’s on the way.
How are you living your first season in Europe?
“Very happy. I was able to jump, I see that football is very different in many ways but the team is having a very good season”.
In what note is it different?
“Above all, the speed of the courts and the quality of the players in passes and shots on goal.”
And on a personal level?
“The language is a bit difficult for my wife, along with my family, but they are very easy for me, because every day I accompany him and my daughter, who is small. Having them by my side every day makes it easier for me”
He made the leap to Europe at the age of 26. Did the opportunity not come your way or did you not want to leave then?
“At some point I had a chance, in the youth, but I was comfortable at the club and I didn’t want to make a hasty move. And then the opportunity to leave Wanderers was not given, he had a contract, and there was no transfer. Then it was my turn to be free and I arranged to leave Uruguay”.
He has been at Wanderers all his life…
“I was there all my life but they opened the doors for me. I renewed three times and we wanted a transfer to come out, but it was not possible. They behaved impeccably with me, I have that in my memory. When I said goodbye that I was leaving, they told me that the coach would continue to count on me while I was there.
He signed for two seasons at Arouca. To what end?
“When there was an opportunity, I didn’t hesitate. I saw that I could grow a lot, I liked the league and the team. I am comfortable here, but I have aspirations to take a bigger step. And then there is the choice…”.
Last year Arouca was saved by one point, but now they are three behind Europe. Is this the goal?
“The first thing is to save ourselves from relegation. With the results we have, we are thinking about being able to aim a little more.”
One of the keys is being full. They have nine clean sheets in 21 days. You need to see something…
“As a team we are working well and that makes our players stand out. The group enhances the individualities”.
They conceded 29 goals and Benfica, Porto and Braga scored 15 in three games. What happened in those days?
“I asked myself, it’s getting my attention. In the beginning we lost 6-0 to Braga, we were not established and there are many new players and the difference is noticeable, but now we are in a different place and I hope we can face these teams better”.
Is there a big difference between the great and the rest?
“The truth is, yes, it got my attention, in Uruguay I’m not used to that. Sporting was not their best season, but the difference was noticeable. Yes, there is and it can be seen in the table, and if you look at the history, in the last ten years all four of them have been in the top position for eight years”.
For those who don’t know you in Spain, what are your main virtues?
“Good question. I don’t know how to say, but it might be my mentality, I always feel very strong in the head and that makes me feel comfortable. Have the same head if you have an error or an important save”.
In Uruguay he had an amazing streak saving penalties (he saved 7 out of 12). Does it work or luck?
“I had that good run yes, I feel comfortable with penalties. Work, intuition, I want to talk to the kickers… Study, but in execution whatever happens”.
He likes to talk to pitchers, like Dibu Martínez.
“Not so much, not so much show, but I do know that I make them nervous or make them doubt and I try to play with that.”
Who were your references?
“I always liked Muslera a lot, he has been in the national team since I started and he also left Wanderers. It’s a role model.”
He talked to me before the selection. Is this his dream?
“Yes, without a doubt, this is my dream, my greatest aspiration is to have a chance. I have a goal. When I left the Wanderers, I had other better financial options, but I saw the jump to Portugal to become a better player and be in a Uruguay squad”.
I was told that when I was little I said I wanted to be a professional, it wasn’t for money or fame. That he wants to play in Uruguay. That’s true?
“Yes Yes. It is 100% like that. Since I was 4-5 years old, I used to say that I wanted to be the national team’s goal-scorer and in my career the steps I take are exclusively based on making it that way”.
What does Uruguay have to produce so many good footballers?
“Soccer lives in any part of the country, wherever you breathe soccer, since you were a child you play soccer, every ten blocks you see a field, it is rooted in the society and the youth Many also see it as an opportunity, it’s a winning mentality”.
His last name is Arruabarrena and he has Spanish nationality…
“Yes, he comes for my father, he is of Basque origin, his grandparents. And the Spanish nationality comes from my grandmother on the mother’s side who is Spanish.
Do you want to play in Spain?
“No doubt, especially my grandmother. It can be very beautiful.”
Do you follow LaLiga?
“I always watch LaLiga. I have the soccer pack and my poor wife is with me, she is with me…”.
Is there any equipment that caught your eye?
“I look at everything, I want to see the teams where there are Uruguayans, I’m more behind. Getafe, Atlético de Madrid, where Godín was captain for a long time, now Josema, Barcelona with Ronald Araujo, Real Madrid with Valverde, Cádiz with Ocampo and Pacha…”.
If you had to recommend one of your teammates from Arouca to a sports director, who would it be?
“There are some with a good level. Basso, a very good central defender, Mojica, who scores goals and played in Spain, a very good striker. Alan Ruiz, whose name, Sylla surprised me a lot… No I can barely talk to him but he is a good player”.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
