“Liverpool is better, but Real Madrid is the favorite”

For many football players, retirement is a glimpse into the depths. For others, a chance. This is the case of Antonio Núñez (Madrid, January 15, 1979), who since he hung up his boots has collaborated on a project in Guinea Bissau where, together with two partners, they try to give men and women a good future: “I’ve worked in clubs or in some representation agency, but it’s not what he’s looking for. It allows me to change the lives of a lot of people and I see myself in the long run”, he assured.

He is grateful for life. He made his debut at Real Madrid, the team of his life, and a year later, in 2005, he won the Champions League with Liverpool. A dream come true. Now, in view of the time and the doors of the final between the two teams he values ​​so much, he is calmly looking forward to the night of May 28. Whatever happens, he will sleep happily. Antonio Núñez speaks at length at Mundo Deportivo.

What is there after life as a footballer?

A forced move sooner or later will come to all of us, and in many cases it will not be easy after many years with the same task. It suddenly changes your life, but it allows you to recover a lot of things. When you are a footballer you are conditioned by schedules, by results or by not having a weekend. Now I am more free.

You have prepared yourself for the next stage.

I studied law. I became professional later than usual, and I wanted to have a plan B. I debuted in Castilla when I was 22 and at Real Madrid when I was 24. In any case, I have not yet trained as a lawyer. Maybe it will help me in the future, but not right now.

This is money is not infinite.

Even for those who sign multi-million dollar contracts. In football, in the NBA and in other disciplines. I have heard cases of professionals going bankrupt and difficult to understand, but if they are left with nothing, imagine that we have become more normal. The savings are gone and you can’t do incredible things. You have to have a head because life is so long.

Is the popularity more pronounced and intense in Madrid or in Liverpool?

Definitely in Madrid. That’s similar to Hollywood. Everywhere we go we have developed tremendous hope in people. This is a show. In Liverpool, on the other hand, I felt more like I was in a club.

Is that situation difficult to manage?

This is not the focus of the news. When we arrived at the airports I tried to stay away from Ronaldo or Beckham. The first time I was hit by a cameraman I knew I had to stay away from them. I was in the shadow of those monsters.

Who made him True?

In my house they are always from Madrid. A friend of my father took me to the games and he was the first to invite me to the Santiago Bernabéu. I think it’s a natural process.

From the dirt to Madrid de los Galacticos, and then to Anfield.

At first hard for me, it was a sudden change. For five years, I came from Madrid’s Tercera, in Las Rozas, until winning the Champions League with Liverpool. This is completely unthinkable.

Does the 2005 Champions League bind you forever with Liverpool?

Rarely does a footballer go through that club and not become a fan for life. Liverpool stays inside you even if you haven’t played in a long time, as happened to me. I participated in five of those Champions League games and, despite not having minutes in the final, it didn’t detract from the fact that I felt like a champion.

And what about this person?

Anything can happen. I think Liverpool are the strongest team in the world, the strongest. And Madrid is Madrid, even if it loses 3-0. It is impossible to make a prediction in Real. It will be a good battle to watch. I am from Madrid before any other team, but whoever wins I will be happy.

Madrid are not used to losing in the finals.

Liverpool are better, but Madrid are favorites. When seen up to his neck in the water, he survived. Several finals have escaped him, but he will find himself facing an experienced team.

When a miracle is repeated many times, does it stop being a miracle?

Actually. Luck influences, but this thing at Real Madrid is not normal. He was three times close to elimination and came out with them all. His shield weighs heavily in the Champions League.

Who is more affected by not playing at your stadium, Liverpool or Real Madrid?

Anfield is special. Liverpool have won a lot at their stadium because of where they live. He can handle anything. It is true that the Santiago Bernabéu has been important for Real Madrid, although I think they are more comfortable in a final in a neutral place.

Is Ancelotti the coaching profile that suits the club?

There is no doubt. The coaches who worked at Real Madrid were the ones who managed the dressing room well. No matter how good you are, if you don’t have the support of the players it’s hard work. Ancelotti, in addition to being an expert, is brilliant.

The Real Madrid season cannot be explained without Benzema.

Karim is wonderful. It’s half a team. I think he deserves the Ballon d’Or for his achievements in the league and in the Champions League, where he has been decisive against PSG, Chelsea and Manchester City.

What do you think of Modric’s repertoire?

Amazing. There aren’t many footballers you can sit on the sofa with. Modric, like Zidane at the time, was one of those. He was dedicated, he was sacrificed, he was generous to his teammates, and while many began to wane at age 36, he raised the bar.

Thiago’s performance in Liverpool was not bad either.

On arrival, he gave the impression that he was going to be a problem because he didn’t fit the idiosyncrasies of Liverpool. They commented that it slowed down that vertical game, but time showed otherwise. This was adapted and gave the team more tactical wealth. This is key.

Klopp put together an almost indestructible team. What does he have left?

From midfield up they are almost unstoppable. On average, they added Luis Díaz, who has the ability to change dynamics. He is a scary player.

How can you do more damage?

Behind Alexander-Arnold. We saw it against City at the Etihad. Sometimes he is weak in such situations and is very easy to rival. Within minutes he was run over by Guardiola’s team.

Could a hypothetical defeat in the final ruin Real Madrid’s season?

I think it was a success no matter what. No one imagined they would reach this point. A failure can’t be because winning the league and reaching the Champions League finals doesn’t happen every season.