“Liverpool is better, but Real Madrid is a ‘favourite'” – La Neta Neta –

For many players, retirement is a vision of the abyss. Opportunity for others. This is the case of Antonio Nunez (Madrid, January 15, 1979), who hung up his boots with a project in Guinea-Bissau in which he and two partners try to give boys and girls a better future: what he was looking for. “It allows me to change a lot of people’s lives and see myself in the long run,” he said.

He is grateful for life. He made his debut for Real Madrid, his life team, and a year later, in 2005, he won the Champions League with Liverpool. Ო The concept became reality. Now, with the passage of time and the gates of the final between the two teams who care so much, we are quietly waiting for the night of May 28. Whatever happens, he goes to bed happy. Antonio Nunez speaks extensively at Mundo Deportivo.

What is life after as a player?

A forced transition that happens to all of us sooner or later and is often not easy after so many years with the same routine. It suddenly changes your life, but you can also recover a lot from it. When you are a player, by schedule, results or lack of weekends. I am freer now.

You prepare for the next step.

I studied law. I turned pro later than usual and wanted to have a plan B. I made my Castilla debut on 22 and Real Madrid on 24. Anyway, I didn’t work as a lawyer. † It may help me in the future, but not now.

That is, money is not infinite.

Even for those who have signed multi-million dollar contracts. In football, the NBA and other disciplines. I’ve heard cases of bankrupt professionals and hard to understand, but if you can do without something, imagine who we were more normal with. Savings will disappear and you will no longer be able to commit excessive acts. You must have a head, because life is too long.

Was the popularity more pronounced and intense in Madrid or Liverpool?

Of course in Madrid. It was like Hollywood. There were high expectations of people everywhere. It was a spectacle. On the other hand, at Liverpool I felt more like I was at the club.

Was it difficult to deal with this situation?

It was not the focus of the news. When we got to the airports, I tried to escape Ronaldo or Beckham. When I called the operator, I was told for the first time that I had to get rid of them. I stood in the shadow of those monsters.

Who made it come true?

At my house they always came from Madrid. A friend of my father’s took me to the games and was the first to invite me to the Santiago Bernabéu. I think it was a natural process.

From the dirt fields to Madrid de los Galacticos and then to Anfield.

It was hard for me in the beginning, it was a sudden change. In five years I went from Terrace to Madrid and Las Rosas to win the Champions League with Liverpool. It was absolutely incredible.

Will the 2005 Champions League tie him to Liverpool forever?

It is rare for a player to move to this club and not become a fan for life. Liverpool will stay with you even if you haven’t played for a long time, like I did. I played five games in that Champions League and even if I didn’t have a minute in the final, that doesn’t stop me from feeling like a champion.

And how about this year?

Ყ Anything can happen. I think Liverpool is the strongest team in the world, the most intense. Madrid is Madrid, despite losing 3-0. With Real it is impossible to make a prediction. It will be a great match to watch. I’ll be from Madrid ahead of all the other teams, but whoever wins, I’ll be happy.

Real are not used to losing in the final.

Liverpool is better, but Madrid is the favourite. If the water is seen up to his neck, he will survive. Some endings dodge him, but he faces an experienced team.

If a miracle is repeated many times, does the miracle stop?

Real. Luck has an influence, but it is not normal for Real Madrid. Three times it was close to shutdown and it all came out. His shield weighs heavily in the Champions League.

Who is most affected by not playing in their stadium, Liverpool or Real?

Anfield is special. Liverpool earn a lot in their stadium because they live there. He has the ability to do anything. It is true that the Santiago Bernabeu was important for Real Madrid, but I think they are more comfortable in the final on neutral ground.

Is Ancelotti the profile of a coach that fits the club?

Doubtless. The coaches who worked at Real Madrid were the ones who dressed the best. As good as it was, if you don’t have the support of the players, it’s hard to work. Ancelotti is not only an expert, but also very intelligent.

Real Madrid’s season cannot be explained without Benzema.

Karim was impressive. Half the team. I think he deserves the Golden Ball for what he did in the league and in the Champions League, where he was decisive against PSG, Chelsea and Manchester City.

What do you think of Modric’s repertoire?

Agitated. There aren’t many players he sits on the bench with. Modric, like Zidane at the time, is one of them. He’s committed, he’s a victim, he’s generous to his teammates and before many start to refuse at age 36, he’s raised the bar.

Thiago’s game isn’t bad at Liverpool either.

On arrival, he left the impression that he was in trouble for not fitting Liverpool’s idiosyncrasies. They noted that he slowed down this vertical play, but time has shown otherwise. He adapted and gave the team more tactical wealth. This is the key.

Klopp has put together an almost indestructible team. What’s left for him?

They are almost unstoppable from midfield. Mostly Lewis added Diaz, who has the ability to change dynamics. He is a terrible player.

How do you deal more damage?

Behind Alexander-Arnold’s back. We saw that against City at the Etihad. Sometimes he is weak in such situations and the opponent comes very easily. Within minutes, Guardiola’s team caught up with him.

Could a hypothetical defeat in the final hurt Real Madrid’s season?

I think this is a hit anyway. No one could have imagined they would get this far. There can be no failure, because winning the championship and reaching the Champions League final doesn’t happen every season.