Liverpool's new signing, Spanish international Muñoz, was interviewed by El País in Spain. He discussed the differences between his off-field personality and on-pitch performance, his brother's support, how GPS data transformed his career, the guidance from Ancelotti and Raúl, his conversation with Iraola, and his expectations for the Premier League.

A group of friends celebrated Spain's victory over England in the European Championship final. Everything seemed normal. One of them was playing for Real Madrid Castilla at the time. Two years later, that youth academy player from the Whites' setup became part of Spain's World Cup squad. Now, Muñoz—a 22-year-old from Barcelona—has just signed for Liverpool. "My career has always been step by step, but this leap is really big," he said with a hint of shyness, as if the scale and glamour surrounding the World Cup and Premier League had nothing to do with him. It's a major gamble for Luis de la Fuente, who decided to call him up despite an injury. Though he hasn't yet received medical clearance to play, he's already training with his teammates. He's not very talkative and speaks little, but he acts naturally and comes across as quite shy.

Jorge Valdano once said that the way a person lives is the way they play football. That doesn't seem to describe you very well.

No, that doesn't quite fit my situation. Many people tell me that. Off the pitch, I'm just an ordinary guy, spending time with my family, quiet and relaxed. But on the pitch, I'm full of passion. The duels, the different game situations... I think about all of this repeatedly during matches, asking myself: this should be done, that shouldn't, that was handled well.

Do you visualize like that before matches too?

Yes. During those nights at training camps in the hotel, I always feel a desire to participate, to sense the game, to imagine some dribbles and game details. I think a lot about what could happen during the match. I see myself dribbling and running on the pitch, feeling happy on the grass. I hope that day comes soon.

Does your brother, a youth coach at Barcelona, help you?

Yes, he always gives me his opinion. He's a huge pillar for me. My parents always tell me everything is fine, but my brother is very realistic. His advice helps me a lot. He doesn't show me videos, but he remembers game moments and asks me: "Do you remember that one?"

Is he the one who truly believes in your success?

You never really know if you're going to succeed. Many factors can influence it: luck, injuries, being in the right place at the right time... I've always focused on playing and enjoying the game. I try not to put too much pressure on other things. Stay calm and climb one step at a time.

Did leaving La Masia make you more grounded?

I don't have many memories from that time. I was very young then. I gave it the importance it deserved. I went to Damm, then I was transferred to Real Madrid. I always try to keep good memories from those experiences. The lessons I learned. I was fortunate to learn something everywhere I've been.

Has speed always been your strength?

There was a period when I struggled with physical development and couldn't show that kind of pace. I had to find other strengths. I played a lot in central positions, as an attacking midfielder and midfielder. But in my last year in the youth team, when I was playing with players a year older, I started playing on the wing. Through certain data, they discovered I was very fast. GPS data changed my career. Thanks to it, I started playing on the wing.

Which coaches helped you?

I've worked with many excellent coaches. Luis García, in Real Madrid's youth and C teams, helped me tremendously by encouraging me to maximize my strengths. Raúl and Licio also always tried to help me. I'm very grateful to them.

What did Raúl give you?

This way of feeling the game—even though it doesn't match my personality, I think it comes from Raúl's influence. He brings you that resilience and competitive spirit. He makes you see football differently, how to live it, how to feel every match as if it were your last.

Do you communicate with him often?

I've spoken with him many times. Most importantly, he tries to help me near the box, using his vast experience to teach me how to position myself, because you never know what can happen. The ball could slip away from the goalkeeper or an opponent, I don't know... There could be many situations.

And Ancelotti?

He's the one who trusted me and gave me my debut at Real Madrid. He's quite calm, but he also tries to help me a lot.

After missing a one-on-one chance against Szczęsny during the Clásico at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, you were attacked on social media. How did that change your life?

It was a lesson. I didn't give it more importance than it deserved, because these situations are commonplace nowadays. It helped me grow as a player. Situations like that have made me who I am today.

How does a 19-year-old ignore social media comments?

It's difficult. It depends largely on the people around you and how you handle it. I always try to ignore it as much as possible. Sometimes things go well, sometimes they don't. You can't pay too much attention to it. You have to focus on each day, try to improve, and follow your own path. I've always been like that, and I think being myself helps me.

In March, you were called up to the national team for the first time and scored as a substitute. Did you think at that moment you were fighting for a chance to play in the World Cup during that training camp?

I wasn't thinking about what was going to happen in the future, but about enjoying that moment, my debut with Spain, enjoying wearing that shirt. I was just grateful to play in that match, to be teammates with the best players. In each match—first against Serbia, then Egypt—I tried to make the most of that experience. That's all. I wasn't thinking beyond that.

After those matches, when you returned to Osasuna, did you start thinking about the possibility of playing in the World Cup?

No. Thanks to the people around me, I never had such thoughts. My intention was to progress step by step, to keep improving. Only in the final days of the season, when you might feel a bit closer to the goal, did I think about it.

Just in case, had you planned a vacation with friends?

I'm more of a live-for-the-day person. I didn't plan anything. Just as I didn't plan this year, I don't plan any year.

You signed for Liverpool during the training camp. How did the conversation with Iraola go?

He called me and gave me confidence. He explained how his team plays, which was very beneficial for me, especially their constant pressing. I think it's an ideal environment to continue growing as a footballer.

What qualities does he like about you?

That ability to attack vertically, that way of trying to unlock the game, and the pressing that tries to suffocate opponents. These are his demands for a winger, and they were important reasons in my decision.

Are you curious about the Premier League?

It's definitely somewhere I've imagined playing. I'm interested in experiencing it, in living through those exciting matches. When the game becomes more chaotic, I feel very comfortable—which is rare in La Liga. Those game situations, that constant state of transition, suit me very well.

Do you watch the Premier League often?

Generally, I'm not someone who enjoys watching football matches. I prefer to play.

Traduit par IA.

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