"I have great faith in God, and I'm convinced that everything that happens in my life is destined. I never had a Plan B. If I failed, I would definitely become a taxi driver," said Getafe centre-back Zaid Romero.

Romero, born in Mendoza, Argentina, in 1999, commands attention even while seated. Training has just finished, and he's still wearing his Getafe training kit. He's a towering centre-back at 1.90m with a strong presence: overcast skies, empty stands, and drizzle that stops precisely as he begins his interview with EFE.

Minutes later, the sun breaks through—a rare luxury for the morning. Romero seems slightly shy, but that impression fades once he starts talking. He speaks slowly, with a calm demeanor, as if he never forgets the path he took to reach the top.

In Romero's life, almost every path leads back to his family: his father, a taxi driver; his mother, who worked as a cleaner and hairdresser; and his maternal grandfather, Domingo, who shined shoes from age eight and sold coffee his entire life.

In this conversation, he discusses leaving Mendoza, being benched at Club Brugge, Bordalás, Barcelona, the Argentina national team, and the Ballon d'Or. No matter how many names come up, for him, the answer always comes back to Messi.

Q: Your father is a taxi driver, and your mother worked as a cleaner and hairdresser. What image of your parents comes to mind when you think of your roots?

A: Many beautiful memories. They are my role models. Because of them, I am who I am today. They instilled many values in me and helped me become the player I am on the pitch. Sometimes things were difficult, but they always did their best to buy me a pair of football boots or take me from one place to another. I remember all those memories, the good and the not so good, because everything taught me a lesson.

Q: You said you never had a Plan B. Weren't you ever worried about failing to become a professional player? What would you have done if you failed?

A: Yes. There were times I thought about it every day. It wasn't easy for me, my family, or my wife, who has been with me all these years. But I have great faith in God, and I'm convinced that everything that happens in my life is destined. I never had a Plan B. If I failed, I would definitely become a taxi driver, because my father has many connections. I would definitely end up in that industry.

Q: You left Mendoza at age 21 to seek opportunities in Buenos Aires. Was that the first time you truly felt alone?

A: Yes. My wife and I went together, and we were both very young. Everything was new. We'd been with our family our entire lives, and then suddenly we left. It was difficult, but ultimately everything worked out, and it shaped us into who we are today.

Q: You had a very special relationship with your late maternal grandfather, Domingo. What aspects of him do you still carry with you, both as a person and as a player?

A: Work ethic, every single day. My grandfather started shining shoes at age eight and then began selling coffee. He did that his entire life and gave us so much. People are sometimes surprised that he only sold coffee, but he gave us so much. Beyond material things, he passed down many values. That stays with me, and I still treasure it today.

Q: You were a regular starter at Estudiantes, but then you rarely played after moving to Club Brugge. Did you ever think that going to Europe was a mistake?

A: Yes, I did. You always wonder in your mind if you should have come, or if you made a mistake. But I have great faith in God, and I'm convinced that my arrival here was destined. Even though I didn't get the playing time I wanted, I made my Champions League debut. That meant so much to someone from where I come from. It was a stepping stone before joining Getafe, and when I arrived, the situation was very complicated. We (Satriano and Boselli) joined with a few Uruguayan players, and the team was in the relegation zone, but then we qualified for European competition. That was incredible.

Q: How does sitting on the bench affect a player's confidence?

A: It's difficult. Even when I was on the bench, I always believed that if I worked hard, it would pay off. That's been my experience. It didn't happen at Club Brugge, but it did at Getafe, which opened the door for me and gave me the opportunity. Sometimes, players on the bench can feel desperate, thinking the coach doesn't appreciate them or doesn't like them. But if you work hard, your chance will always come.

Q: In your opinion, what did Bordalás see in you that he didn't see in others?

A: When I first arrived, he trusted me 100%, even though I hadn't gotten the playing time I wanted, or hadn't played much at all. He maximized that, and he saw my fighting spirit, personality, and work ethic. I try to repay his trust on the pitch.

Q: Is Bordalás really as strict as people say?

A: Many people have many opinions and ideas about him. Our view is that he demands a lot from you for your own good, to bring out the best in you. That's what you see.

Q: He has a reputation for being demanding and tough at work, but a good family man personally...

A: Yes, that's football. I'm the same way. I'm one person on the pitch and another off it. That's football.

Q: Coliseum Alfonso Pérez is undergoing a complete renovation. What does it mean to the dressing room to see Getafe growing off the pitch as well?

A: We hope it will be finished as soon as possible, although we know it will take time. It shows that the club is developing, and it must continue on this path. We're here to help it keep growing.

Q: You were in the preliminary squad for Argentina's national team... Have you ever imagined yourself playing in a World Cup or Copa América?

A: Yes, I always hold onto that hope. There are many top players there, and healthy competition that forces you not to slack off. Being in the preliminary squad is a great honor and a great reward, even though I didn't make the final World Cup list. While I was at Club Brugge, I rarely played, then I came here, started playing, performed well, and made the preliminary World Cup squad. That meant so much to me and my family.

Q: Now you're facing Barcelona. For a centre-back like you, is it more comfortable marking a striker like Lewandowski, or is it more difficult dealing with the fluid movement of a false nine like Raphinha, Olmo, or Yamal?

A: You have to adapt to different teams. Sometimes you face a No. 9 like Lewandowski, or a striker like Muriqi who plays closer to the box. Then you face these fast, high-intensity players. You have to be ready.

Q: Yamal's movement is difficult to predict. How do you defend against a player like him?

A: These players are indeed very good, and when you play against them, you have to stay focused with your teammates and defenders; you can't lose concentration for a second. We know what level of players they are.

Q: Facing Barcelona, who score so many goals, would any plan other than tight defence and taking your chances be suicide?

A: This is a match for men and gentlemen. You have to have personality, do what the coach asks, go out and play, while respecting all opponents and maintaining a winning mentality. Last season, we played well against many strong teams. We beat Villarreal, Real Madrid, Real Betis, and Athletic Bilbao. We showed character and won. As long as you believe, everything is possible.

Q: Yamal and Mbappé have both openly discussed their rivalry for the Ballon d'Or. In your opinion, who should win it? Is this award fought for or given?

A: It's difficult. I'm not qualified to say who should win the Ballon d'Or. I'm Argentine, so I'll always back Messi because he's the greatest in history. No one can be like him; he's the greatest player of all time. Given Messi's age and his performances at the World Cup, I've never seen anyone do what he did at 39. This doesn't mean other young players aren't at a very high level. I think they still have much to offer and will be extraordinary in the future. I admire them, but my answer will always be Messi.

Q: I think Messi never said he should win the Ballon d'Or...

A: Yes, I think that's what makes him special. He never said "I'm the best in the world" throughout his career. He never said he should win the Ballon d'Or throughout his career. Great people always stay humble, and that's something truly to admire.

Diterjemahkan oleh AI.

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