Carlos Ángel Roa (Santa Fe, Argentina, 1969) was not an ordinary soccer player. Neither by principles nor by actions. His story is enough for a book, a movie or an entire series. Nicknamed “Lettuce” for his vegan tendency, he overcame malaria and cancer, lost a Cup final despite saving three penalties, chose God over Manchester United, then European champion, and left football to dedicate himself to Seventh-day Adventist Church. Icon of the best Mallorca in history, he is currently part of Matías Almeyda’s coaching staff at AEK Athens. From there he followed the defeat of his beloved Mallorca, where he spent five seasons, and next to the Parthenon he will see the duel against Madrid.
Where did you watch the Cup final?
At home, with my family, in the Athenian neighborhood where I currently live.
Did you suffer in the penalty shootout?
Yes, I had a lot of tension and anxiety because I feel like a Majorcan. I always thought that the chance factor prevails a lot in these cases and this time it came up tails. I was disappointed.
You lost the 1998 final against Barça, saving penalties from Rivaldo, Figo and Celades and scoring one. That’s hard to beat…
It’s true. He was at Mestalla and I remember him clearly. There were several poorly executed penalties and I was inspired. Of course, it’s strange to stop three, score one and lose. It seems that the vermillions are not lucky in the penalty shoot-outs.
In that final I was wearing number 1.3, not number 13, why?
Out of mere superstition. I liked the number, but to ward off bad fario I asked for permission and they allowed me to add a full stop.
Carlos Roa, during his time at Mallorca. JUSTO GONZALEZ DIARIO AS
Do they still call him Lechuga or is that already in the trunk of memories?
My friends and my closest football circle still call me that.
Who put it on?
It was Cosme Zacantti, a former teammate at Racing de Avellaneda. Every week the team organized a group barbecue. Since I was a vegetarian and only ate lettuce and tomato salads… that’s where the nickname came from.
You were key in the best Mallorca in history. In the first year he played in the Cup final and in the second (1999) he was third in the League, won the Spanish Super Cup and was runner-up in the European Cup Winners’ Cup. Was it your best year as a footballer?
Definitely. I made the jump to Europe and the move turned out very well for me. A spectacular group was created in Mallorca and I was able to contribute my part in a glorious period for the club. I still remember it with nostalgia and joy.
He also started for the albiceleste in the ’98 World Cup and thanks to his save on a penalty taken by Batty, arch-nemesis England was eliminated. Did they make you feel like a national hero?
Yes. They made me feel that way and I believed that role for a while. I realized the magnitude of what I had done when I arrived in Argentina. I received great recognition from the crowd and continuous entertainment. It was enormously satisfying and one of the best moments of my career. There are still people who lived through that moment and remember me for it.
“After the 98 World Cup in Argentina I was a national hero”
Carlos Roa, in AS
In 1999, at the age of 29, Manchester United, then European champions, made him a great offer. What happened?
I said no. My choice was to stop playing football. It was a thoughtful decision. Strange for most people, but I thought about it very carefully and chose to lead a life of self-denial and service to others and preach what the Bible says.
Did you choose God over the European champion?
I put God above football. It was what I felt. I know that I gave up playing for a big team in England, to continue on the Argentine national team and to earn a lot of money, but I wanted to experience other things and serve others.
Why was playing football incompatible with his religious fervor?
The biblical seventh day, which is Saturday, was not respected, because God commands that we dedicate that day to having full communion with him and live it in peace with the family. Playing that day I had to put other values before what my mind and my heart dictated to me.
Did you ever regret that decision?
Sometimes I thought about it, but decisions are made in the moment and in my case it wasn’t an outburst. Many told me that he was crazy, but he had the support of my wife and he didn’t need more.
Nine months later he returned, why?
It was also a matter of conscience, just like my withdrawal. I felt like I needed to play, I longed for it. I felt a little caged and I agreed with the family to return.
“Madrid’s interest came to me through third parties, but nothing official”
Carlos Roa, on a potential attempt by the whites in the past
He once said in Olé: “I never wanted to be a footballer.” Was this like this?
I said that when I was little I wanted to be a war aviator and I didn’t dream of being a soccer player, but I started to like soccer and I wanted to be the best. I led a life to try to excel in my profession.
Was Real Madrid also interested in you?
That came to me through third parties, but there was never anything official and I didn’t ask any more questions.
What do you remember about your confrontations with Madrid at that time?
I had a great team with world-class players like Guti, Hierro, Redondo, Seedorf, Roberto Carlos… It motivated me a lot in the matches against them.
“I don’t rule out a surprise for Mallorca against Madrid”
Carlos Roa, confident
What did you think of the game against City?
As an unbiased fan, a wonderful spectacle between two of the best teams in Europe. I think the tie is still open.
While playing with Albacete, in 2004, you were diagnosed with testicular cancer. How did you experience that experience?
I came to have negative thoughts. Testicular cancer at that time was not like now. It was one of the best moments of my career and it was difficult for me to adapt. I led an orderly life, with a healthy diet and I couldn’t understand it. I had returned to football, I had been promoted to First Division and it was a very painful moment for me and my family. Luckily, I was able to overcome it. The doctor told me I was lucky.
How was the experience in Greece? Does it equal Argentina in passion?
Yes. They are very passionate and very fanatical. The environment of the flares, the flags and everything that is generated around the games surprised me. Everything that involves a football game is very vehement.
“Casillas was the best goalkeeper of my time and ‘Dibu’ of the current one”
Carlos Roa, in AS
You are an expert in goalkeeping. Tell me who is the best one you have seen and the one you currently like the most.
In my time Iker Casillas was spectacular, a truly superb goalkeeper. Now I’m left with Dibu Martínez, the goalkeeper of Aston Villa and the Argentine national team. For me he is the best in the world at the moment.
Mallorca will want to get rid of the Cup’s thorn against Real Madrid…
And you can do it. This is football. Facing a team as powerful as Madrid in your stadium, supported by your people, is an extra incentive. It is obvious that Madrid are favorites, they are playing for the title and they will come with enthusiasm after the setback against City, but I do not rule out a surprise from Mallorca at all. In addition, he will want to give joy to the thousands of fans who traveled to Seville and returned to the island disappointed.
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Would you like to return to Mallorca one day?
Of course. I was very happy there. I felt at home, I have great affection and indelible memories.
2024-04-13 00:27:17
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