A dozen operators finish the installation of some plates to improve the state of the lawn first thing in the afternoon. Ipurúa breathes football on all four sides beyond the advances resulting from science. It still shows that classic aroma that makes it a unique stadium. The managers of the gun club have spent years adapting the infrastructure to the demands of professionalism. But it keeps the essence. “With each of the promotions to First Division, that money has been used to renovate the stadium. But it is not a comprehensive reform, the essence is maintained,” explains Sergio Álvarez, midfielder for the gunsmith team and former Sporting player.
– If you are happy with it.
-Yes. It is my fifth season at the club. When I came I did it for a long-term contract, but I didn’t imagine that after the contract ended I would even renew again. I feel valued. But, above all, identified with these values of the entity: we are a simple, close club… Here the footballer is treated well. At Éibar I practically know all the employees. Here everything is simple. I feel at home.
–Football has progressively moved away from fans to evolve towards business. Eibar, due to its politics, seems to be the exception in professional football.
-It’s a business and moves a lot of money. I perceive that Eibar has adapted to that model, but has managed to maintain its values. Look beyond money: take care of the fans and have values of respect in all environments. We as footballers have to take great care of everything we do because we are very media. From our importance, I say at the media level, we also have the obligation to transmit some values: respect, camaraderie… Try to make a better society.
-The feeling is that many players are in a bubble. They are oblivious to the real problems of society.
-Totally. The professional soccer player reaches important economic quotas. Thank God I come from a working family that comes from the countryside. My grandparents have broken their backs to get ahead. I’ve sucked that all my life. I know what effort is. My career as a footballer is going well and I’m achieving important financial achievements, but I don’t lose perspective. I have friends and family who have day-to-day problems. I give thanks for what I am experiencing and for having good economic conditions that in the future can make life easier for me and my family.
–How do you see the economic situation in Asturias?
– I am very concerned. I have been living for years in an autonomous community that is economically very powerful. It is practically 200 kilometers from Asturias, but there is a big difference: it has more potential and a very powerful industry behind it. The Basque Country is today light years away from us. One thinks: ‘How well they have done and how much they have fought for their rights’.
– What has been done wrong?
–(Sergio reflects) Perhaps we have not managed to evolve, adapt to that. And, of course, I think: ‘Fuck, we have enormous potential and an incredible quality of life.’ It seems that in certain communities they are turning off… Sometimes I walk through Avilés and see many closed businesses. It worries me. Because I do think we have a lot of potential. We have not known how to adapt to the new economic approaches. I hope that those who manage the Principality finally find the key. At least to stabilize that demographic and economic decline. You should try to grow in the future. The weather is now very good. And more with this heat that comes now. I think that in Asturias in that sense it is going to be good.
–Are you scared of what football has become?
–But not so much the professional. In the end, as professionals, we are used to pressure and put up with some insults. But what scares me, and really scares me, is what happens in lower categories. That hostile environment, of lack of respect. I don’t like anything at all. In other sports, the opponent and the referees are treated with much more respect.
-In social networks he is a discreet person.
I have never used much social media. Maybe that’s a mistake, because as a public person I could have promoted certain values a little more, and I haven’t. Not as Sergio, but as a public person. In the end, I value privacy very much. Social networks, I don’t know… Exposing your life too much doesn’t seem right to me. It can be a good tool when you are with friends or family, but only up to a point. As footballers, we also have a powerful image. You can affect young people. You have to be careful what you upload. If you have a brand X car, for example, and you can afford it and buy it. Well, if you really want that, go for it. I don’t go there. But if you are teaching it too much, you are not setting the best example for a child who surely in the future will not be able to afford it and will grow up with that frustration. We footballers have to be much more careful with what we publish.
– Do you need to promote more education in soccer players?
-Totally. The world evolves into the digital age. No one is prepared to manage these consumptions. We were born or grew up with social networks, which did not exist before. Learning to manage all this information and the range of possibilities that opens up before you is essential. You are not born learned. That needs to be promoted much more. There are probably many more errors. As a society we have an obligation to place much more emphasis on “digital bullying”. Because now comes a generation of young people who are facing a challenge that is really difficult to manage.
– Has it been formed?
-After finishing my Bachelor’s degree, I started Mechanical Engineering. But it was only a few months. I was training in B and it was too difficult for me to combine it. Then I started Teaching Primary Education. I have practically finished the race; I have two practices left. Being in the Basque Country makes it difficult for me to finish it.
-Many players suffer from anxiety. How important is the mental aspect?
-All. If the head does not go… It does not matter if you are the best physically, technically of the entire squad. It doesn’t matter, because you’re not going to give up. The pandemic and all this digital evolution has caused an increase in mental health problems. The good thing, at least, is that people are beginning to talk about it without fear. Little by little, the fear of asking for help is being lost. That’s basic.
–Did Pitu call you before renewing?
-There were people who asked me, but at no time did they talk about that possibility. In January I already had approaches with Eibar, because they wanted me to continue and I wanted to continue. My representative Gelu Rodríguez did not tell me about Sporting. He was comfortable here. I feel valued. I enjoy soccer. And we’re going for the promotion.
-Abelardo has reappeared at a crucial moment due to the historical risk that the entity had of going down to Second B.
-When I saw the news, I was very happy. I knew that with Abelardo Sporting was going to be saved and that this year they were going to take a step forward. I know what he represents, what he conveys to the player. He is looking. It’s a very good team. The only game I want them not to win is against Éibar (laughs). Because I have very good teammates and because I am one more sportinguista. I wish you the best.
–Cote has also returned…
I knew he would give his highest level. He is very, very sporting! Those of us who are from the house demand even more of ourselves because we feel the team is our own. But nothing surprises me nor do I discover anything with the performance that Cote is giving at Sporting. It is enough to review his trajectory.
–Is the Jony de los Guajes recoverable?
–No one in the world wants to feel good and be important more than Jony. He must be having a really hard time with all the injuries he is suffering from. There have to be more patience. It is differential.
–And you… do you close the door to one day returning?
-No way. Sporting is my club: the one I love the most and where I’ve been for the most years. What I have clear is that if I return I have to look very good. I want to go to my maximum level or my maximums. I want to leave feeling great. Because I wouldn’t forgive myself for leaving any other way.
