Fidalgo: The 14th Champions League? Everybody at Real Madrid is from another world

After eight years at La Fabrica and making his debut with Real Madrid's first team, Alvaro Fidalgo decided in 2020 to start a new path at Castellon.

After a few disappointments, the Asturian set off for Mexico. There, at Club America, he has become a fan favourite.

He has not forgotten about where it all started and he discussed his career in an interview with MARCA.

Q. Looking back, could you describe in one word what it's like to grow up in Real Madrid?

A. Huh, very difficult. I always say that at Real Madrid, where I arrived at 15 and left at 23, I had my adolescence.

To get to the first team is very, very difficult, only the chosen ones do it. They are the best in the world. The youth academy years were very good, growing as a person and as a player. I am a footballer and it is almost all thanks to the training I was given there.

Q. What is left of the Fidalgo who went to Castellon?

A. Not much now. I left at the age of 23, but without touching a professional football. The months there helped me to realise how difficult it is to leave Real Madrid, when you are there it's a bubble.

Q. You coincided, very briefly, with Carlo Ancelotti. What was he like?

A. I didn't know him, but I know what he's like: I was in the stands in Lisbon in 2014, for La Decima (the club's 10th Champions League win).

Q. Where were you for the one in Paris this year, also with Ancelotti on the bench?

A. At home, on holiday with friends. Another one (Champions League win). These people are from another world.

Q. At Valdebebas you were the first captain for Raul. How do you view the coach and his Castilla team?

A. That summer, in theory, I was going to leave and in the end Raul spoke to me; he wanted me to stay and be the captain, and the club ended up convincing me.

We were having a good season, growing a lot because Raul, as well as being the legend that he is, is an incredible professional. One of his phrases has stayed with me forever was: "You are Real Madrid players 24/7".

It's his philosophy to live sport to the full, with such high standards, taking care of all aspects on and off the pitch. It affected me a lot.

Q. Do you follow Castilla week by week?

A. Always. There are great players, like Carlos Dotor and Sergio Arribas. They are doing very well.

They were close to the promotion places and it didn't happen because it's very difficult and they are very young. Real Madrid is an incredible place for them to grow.

Q. Why did you go to Mexico?

A. In Castellon it didn't work out as we thought and this came up, just what I needed; someone to trust me.

Everything is going well, I've been playing a year and a half and I've played a lot of games, in my best moment without a doubt. That's why I said that there is little left of who I was a year and a half or two years ago.

Q. In Mexico there are other young Spaniards like Paulino, Jorge Mere and Sabin Merino. Is the level higher than you think from outside?

A. It is normal that this football is not seen so much from Europe, starting with the time difference. But everyone knows what Club America is, the biggest team in Mexico.

Football is different here, but there is a lot of quality and a high level. The football is slower, with a lot more duels.

Q. You have changed your position here, where do you feel better?

A. I have been on the left wing, right wing, inside, in the double pivot.... My ideal position is in the double pivot, box to box.

At Castilla, Raul put me on the left and told me that I was going to play many games in my career there. He wasn't wrong.

Q. Have you written to anyone from Real Madrid?

A. I spoke with the doctor, with Jaime Abascal, we have a good relationship. I also spoke with Borjita [Borja Mayoral].

Q. Who do you watch the most?

A. Real Madrid have an impressive midfield. Every midfielder looks at Toni Kroos and Luka Modric, who are incredible.

What Fede Valvede is doing seems crazy to me as well. We have to learn from all of them.