Diplomat, writer and declared supporter of Real Madrid, for Inocencio Arias (Albox, 84 years old) from Almeria, there are no forbidden topics to talk about. He also talks about sports and football, hobbies that have accompanied him throughout his life. Today, he shares his backpack of experiences with ABC. And there are not a few.—The first question in this section is usually what sport means to your life. In your case, I’m almost about to ask you, what would your life be without sports?—I have played soccer until I was 35 years old. I have done long distance races. Sports is a hobby that, if you get into it, is exciting.—No one like you knows what that activity can do in relations between nations, in the economy, in everything.—It puts us on the map. Gastronomy too, but not so much. A few years ago, in Valencia, I traveled with some Egyptians who were most struck by Spain because Atleti and Madrid were going to play in a Champions League final.—What anecdote, that you haven’t told yet, would serve to illustrate that? importance?—I remember a trip to Singapore with Fernández Ordóñez and his chief of staff, whose name was Santiago. At the airport, we were looking for a record and when we found it I told him ‘Santiago, the record is here.’ As soon as he heard that name, the clerk began to relate: ‘Santiago Bernabéu, Carlos Santillana, Butragueño…’ That happened at the ends of the world and that scoundrel knew them all.—You were general director of Real Madrid with Ramón Mendoza. That Madrid was very different from now.—It was another world. More artisanal, with procedures from the first half of the 20th century. And we were in the last one. Now, with Florentino, we are already in the XXI.—What happened to Martín Vázquez?—I had just taken over the general management of the club. During a match, I said that Rafa should move away a little when taking a foul, exposing himself to getting a yellow card and possibly being sent off. It occurred to me to comment that the footballers had to mature, that they could not ignore the rules or throw a tantrum and endanger the interests of Madrid. There was a sector in the club that came to think that I was a kind of Trojan horse. The human condition is that cheap.—What do you think of Florentino?—He is transforming the club. For a time, luck eluded him. Now, he has filled his glass. He has made the club the best in Europe, he has made the best stadium in the world. Related News Standard football Si Lorenzo Caprile: “I admire Del Bosque for being an example of coherence” María José Hostalrich The renowned couturier talks to ABC about both clothing as well as his recognized love for Atlético—The ideal president, come on.—There is no one ideal, but he will mark an era and, compared to some of those who preceded him, he is infinitely better.—It seems strange to me that it is not I invited him to the box assiduously.—I ask for the right favors. Never a ticket for a European final, for example, and for Lisbon I needed it. But Madrid behaves very politely with me. And I don’t like the box. You are inhibited and you cannot shout ‘bastard’ when they kick Vinicius, because you are next to someone from the opposing team.—Madrid misses a Kroos, it is slower than other seasons, Mbappé is not the one who it was expected. But no one doubts that he has many options to do double again. What does this team have?—A very good squad. Florentino makes good templates. Bernabéu also had them. Furthermore, he prides himself on giving his all in every game and I admit that he is lucky. Last year he had it. The Virgin of Almudena appears to him frequently, more than to other teams. Of course he has also broken his horns more than others.—And some referee help, too, right?—That is a stupid legend, created by envious people. Above all, culés.—We’re done…—Cruyff said that Madrid won by decree. With Di Stéfano, by decree? Madrid won the leagues because they had the best team in Europe and won five European Cups in a row. And outside of Spain, he moved around the offices like no one else. In Franco’s time! Here, during the Franco regime, Madrid went 14 years without winning a league.—Who is a worse enemy-rival: Atleti or Barça?—I enjoy beating Barça more. It has won us more titles. And it is the club that most promotes the black Madrid legend. It is rare that some prominent Barça player has not said some stupid phrase about Madrid’s triumphs.—Aren’t you envious of the know-how in the Barça youth team?—I don’t see it with bitterness. That seems fine to me. Lamine has exceptional class. If Barça defeats City I will be delighted. But if they beat Madrid or Almería I’m not so worried anymore. And if I find out that there is a Negreira, even less so.—What a job about Carvajal. Can this bleeding of games and injuries be stopped?—It is an economic mechanism. It’s hard to stop it. This has exploded. God willing Carvajal returns. I suffer when a player is injured, even if he is not from Madrid. But I don’t see a solution to this, really.—And to the violence of the ultras?—We have to be preventive. Why, when the rumor began to spread that they were going to go to Atleti masked, did the club not issue a stern and firm note stating that no one could enter the stadium like that and that, whoever did, would not enter the field again? It is a mistake to not want to antagonize the fans. But it was obvious that Atleti was going to regret it. And I don’t deny that they are irritated and embarrassed, but it was slow.—Diplomatic, but it doesn’t cut it. That “Guardiola is less of a genius than he thinks.” Do you qualify it?—He is a good coach. But he goes with some airs, as if he had discovered football and virginity. If I have to choose a coach with whom I would stay in recent years, one of the first would be him but not the best. And even less, indisputably.—Who would Madrid lack to be the best of all time?—Di Stéfano. He was better than Mbappé, Bellingham and Vinicius. He played well every afternoon. I don’t remember a bad game. Mbappé, it depends. Not even Maradona was cooler.—What would you need today to return to football?—I wouldn’t return. It all depends on whether the ball goes in. There was a time when informality was rewarded, the given word did not exist. My time at Madrid was that. We broke a commitment every two months. This directive has changed a lot but, in football, non-compliance with the word is relatively frequent. That makes me nervous.
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