First game you watched live as a supporter?
There isn’t one match that I remember in particular, but for sure it was Valencia CF because I was a supporter from four or five years old. I remember going to the Mestalla to watch the games, and these were fantastic years for Valencia because they won some titles, and I fell in love with the club.
First football hero?
My first football hero was David Villa. He played for Valencia CF, FC Barcelona and Atlético Madrid and, for me, was one of the best strikers in the world. He was my first idol because when I entered the academy at Valencia CF, he was in the first team and was scoring a lot of goals.
First football boots?
They were Adidas boots, and I remember them because they didn’t have laces. That was the first time I’d ever played without any, and it was very different! After that I changed back to Adidas boots with laces!
First kit?
My first football top was a Valencia CF one from 2004/05, I think. This was the year I joined the Valencia academy, and I was a supporter of the club from very early on in my life.
First mentor in football?
It has to be my grandfather, because there is a well-known story that when I was five years old, he told me he wanted me to be a footballer, but I didn’t want to be a part of a team and only wanted to play myself. He wanted me to play for a team and said he would buy me a Game Boy if I played for a team. He was the person who gave me the opportunity to play.
First professional game?
My debut for the Valencia CF first team was against Real Sociedad in December 2016. I came on as a substitute around the 70th minute, and I remember how loud the crowd was and how the atmosphere was incredible. We lost the game 3-2, but I will always remember this day for sure.
First professional goal?
It was in the Derbi de la Comunitat [against Villarreal] away from home, in January 2017, and we won the match 2-0. It was a memorable day, and for sure it’s another day I will always remember, as I was only 19 years old, and to score this goal for my boyhood club against our rivals was incredible.
First red card?
I was given a red card in my first year as a professional against SD Eibar at home. We lost this match, and I was given a red card and gave away a penalty. It was one of those moments that you have to learn from and become better. It was a sad day but also a good day in terms of my career, as I now know what things I can and can’t do on the pitch.
