Lucas Vázquez: “It’s a privilege to learn from Zidane every day”

Real Madrid winger Lucas Vazquez talked to the team’s TV channel this week. Vazquez touched on different topics, from the team’s return to training and focus ahead of the restart of the 2019-2020 Liga season to the win against Atletico in San Siro for Madrid’s 11th Champions League title.

“We’re doing a kind of mini pre-season and working on our fitness and with the ball, because we’ve not trained all together for six or seven weeks. We’re getting back into the swing of things and we’re feeling great. We can’t wait to get back to competitive action and try and win LaLiga. They’re doing a good job of things in Germany and I hope we can finish the campaign as well. We’re treating the 11 remaining games like finals. Our aim is to win them all and then we have to see what the teams around us manage,” said Vazquez about the current season.

The Spanish attacker scored the first penalty in the shootout which decided the 2015-2016 Champions League title. Vazquez explained what went through his mind before taking that penalty and also before his famous gesture with the ball as he was reaching the spot.

“It was my first season and the Champions League was a dream come true. I love playing basketball and it that move with the ball before taking the penalty just comes naturally to me. It helped me to focus. In my head, all I was thinking about was scoring and helping my teammates to win the Champions League. Ramos and I are great friends. He congratulated me after the spot-kick, but beforehand he’d told me to be confident when I took it. Coming from him that gives you real belief and strength. It was my first season and having the chance to take that penalty really helped me grow,” explains Vazquez.

That title was the first of the historic threepeat conquered by the squad during the following two seasons, a feat never achieved in the modern era of football.

“I realize that winning three Champions Leagues in a row will go down in football history. We have a fantastic generation of players and we should be proud of the work we’ve done and aware of what it means, it’s not easy,” he said.

Vazquez wrapped up his interview by praising coach and club legend Zinedine Zidane, the man in charge of the team that won those three consecutive European titles.

“It’s a privilege to learn from Zidane and train alongside him every day. Everyone knows what a fantastic footballer he was and as a coach, his record speaks for itself. He teaches us and helps us so much every day. He’s close to us and cares about us. He gives you a lot of freedom to play and he wants you to be happy in your game, and be yourself on the pitch. That’s hugely valuable to a player and I’m happy to be learning alongside him,” concluded Vazquez.