Unai Hernández, the Girona midfielder, has made two appearances in the club’s last two home matches, signaling a gradual return to form after a challenging period. The player, who joined Girona on loan from Al-Ittihad in Saudi Arabia, has been working to regain his physical condition following a previous injury. “I’m much better now,” Hernández told local media. “I’ve played two matches at home and feel much better than when I arrived two months ago. As I accumulate training sessions, weeks, and minutes, I feel more comfortable. Ultimately, I need this: train, play, and feel at ease to regain my best level as soon as possible.”
Hernández, who wore the No. 45 jersey in his first senior appearance for Girona against Osca in Segunda División in January 2022, and the No. 30 jersey in his debut against Albacete, has kept both shirts as mementos. “They’re special moments for me, and I like to have them,” he said. His journey to Girona began as a young player, with the club’s first team always being his goal. “My objective since I joined Girona as a child has always been to debut with the first team,” he added. “Playing at Montilivi with my family and friends, who have always supported me, was a huge joy.”
Family has been a constant in Hernández’s career. His father, a cyclist, and his mother, who played football, instilled a passion for the sport. “My father didn’t like football, but my mother did. My grandfather and uncle were also football fans. The passion in my family comes from them,” he explained. His Basque heritage, named after his father’s admiration for Basque cyclists, contrasts with his path as a footballer. “My brother Unax and I became footballers because we inherited my mother’s love for the game,” he said, laughing.
“Almost everything I do is for them. They’ve given me everything, and they’ve helped me in every way. I also know my uncle and grandfather had dreams of becoming a footballer. That pushes me to fight for them.”
After recovering from ankle discomfort, Hernández described the process of regaining his fitness. “It was a lot of work with physios, in the gym, and on the pitch. Everyone helped me adapt.” He noted the differences between the two leagues. You have to keep up.”
At Al-Ittihad, Hernández shared a locker room with global stars like Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kanté, and Fabinho. “I arrived at a team full of top-world players. At first, I was nervous because I was young and unknown, and they were in another dimension with their careers and names. I learned as much as I could from them. I have a good relationship with them, and they helped me a lot.” He highlighted the work ethic of his teammates. “Kanté and Benzema showed me that you have to work every day to stay at your maximum level. That’s what they do. Benzema, almost 40, still scores 20 goals a season and has good pace. That shows they never give up.”
“When you get the opportunity, it’s hard to understand at first. There are many people who say they wouldn’t go, but once you have the offer in front of you and you think about it, it’s a real opportunity. We were all young and could return anytime. We took the leap into professional football, sharing a locker room with legends, learning, and gaining experience. Plus, it can solve your financial life. I was there for two years and am now back at Girona.”
Hernández’s goals for the season are clear. “I aim to play as many minutes as possible, score goals, and assist, helping the team achieve promotion. That’s the goal we all have, and it’s mine too. I want to regain the level I had before and show it at Girona, while continuing to grow as a player.” His return to Girona, however, has not been without challenges. “I left when we promoted to Primera, so there have been several changes. The sports complex is new for me, as I trained at Vinya before. There are some familiar faces, but it’s like coming home, albeit differently.”
Hernández’s time at Barcelona B under Rafa Márquez highlighted his versatility. “I prefer playing inside, but I can play on the left wing too. At Barcelona B, there were already great players like Aleix Garrido, Marc Casadó, and Marc Bernal. I’m versatile and can play both roles. I enjoy playing inside more. This season at Girona, there may be opportunities on the left or inside, and I can adapt. I did it well at Barcelona B, and I’ll do it again this year.”
Reconnecting with former teammates like Aleix Garrido and Arnau Tenas has been a positive experience. “Recently, I faced Arnau Tenas and Guillermo Fernández, whom I trained with at Girona. It’s nice to meet them, even if it’s in opposition. We share a history and are friends.”
The challenge for Girona is securing promotion to Primera. Hernández emphasized the club’s goal. “It’s clear. Besides wanting Girona to be in Primera for the club and the city, it would also benefit me. One of the reasons I’m fighting is to stay here and be a Girona player in Primera.” While he acknowledges the possibility of returning to Saudi Arabia, he remains focused on the current season. “I don’t want to think about it. The focus is 100% on achieving promotion with Girona.”
Assessing the start of the season, Hernández noted the team’s youth and the challenges of adapting. “We all want promotion. I think we’ve started well; the team is quite new. We have many new players, a new coaching staff, and the way of working has changed compared to the past years under Míchel. It’s a process. It’s being shown on the pitch that we’re improving, and it will continue. You can’t change everything overnight, and everything doesn’t go 100% smoothly. A process of adaptation is needed, getting to know each other, understanding how each player plays, and learning to communicate on the field. It’s noticeable and will continue. We’re on the right path.”
Hernández’s return to Girona was not without its hurdles. “I arrived a bit late. This will help us grow.”
Going there made me a better player and helped me grow personally and football-wise.”
When the opportunity to return to Girona arose, the decision was clear. “It wasn’t a difficult choice. The main option wasn’t Girona, but when it fell through and Girona came up, I said yes 100%. It had to be done. With just over a week, it was closed because the two clubs had to negotiate the loan, and working with the Arabs is complicated. But when Girona came up, I knew I had to come 100%. And here I am.”
Hernández’s journey reflects a blend of personal ambition, family legacy, and the challenges of youth football. As Girona strives for promotion, his role in the team’s success will be crucial. With his physical condition improving and his focus firmly on the season, the midfielder is determined to make his mark and secure his future at Montilivi.
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