First team

SURPRISES AND EMOTION FOR NOLITO ON A BALÓN PARADO

05/10/2017

The forward was surprised by relatives and friends

Those who watched A Balón Parado had the chance to get to know a more human Nolito, his roots, his surroundings and his values. Much of his personality has grown from the education given to him by his grandfather: "He followed me everywhere, he demanded a lot from me. Maybe I'd play a game, we'd win, I'd score a hat-trick and he'd get annoyed because he thought I should have scored six. We were like cats and dogs, but he always taught me good things. My grandfather had eleven children and he raised me with my uncles and I have to say I was a spoilt child. He was the only one who supported my 100% from the start".

Nolito is very grateful to his grandfather and credits his good behaviour to him: "It's true that I was a naughty kid, but I always paid attention to what he said to me, I grew up, I became even more obedient and didn't become a rebel. For sure I had a time in my life where I didn't want to go to school but my grandfather told me I couldn't do nothing. As a joke I asked the butcher if he needed someone and it turned out he did. I worked at the butchers for several months making meatballs, skewers and the like."

“There will never be a more flamenco footballer than Nolito, not just because he sings it but also because there's flamenco in his football”

Perhaps, thanks to the education he received, he always had his feet on the ground: "I've always valued things and I still value them because before a being a footballer, you have to be a person. A footballer has a career of fifteen or twenty years, it's something temporary and I want to enjoy my career to the maximum, it excites me; but in a few years, there will be no autographs or photos, I'll just be a person. That's why I always try to be nice to the fans".

The Andalucían not only recalled his infancy but also his footballing roots at Écija Balompié. Little did he know former teammates from the side - which has also been a friend to Sevillistas like Fontás and Jonathan Soriano - wanted to surprise him on the show presented by Roberto Arrocha.

Nolito also made it clear that aside from football, flamenco - and artists like Marina Heredia and Paquito González (now friends of the player) - is his passion. The latter surprised the program with a message: "There will never be a more flamenco footballer than Nolito, not just because he sings it but also because there's flamenco in his football", said the percussionist. Rafael de Utrera also sent a musically themed video just for the player.

But the biggest surprise of the night came with the arrival of the Sevilla international's two best friends, who travelled from Sanlúcar de Barrameda to see him. The three reminisced about unforgettable stories that showed the total humility of the player.

Teammates Jesús Navas, Sergio Escudero and Nico Pareja also wanted to send a message to the forward. The captain said: "Nolito has integrated himself very quickly, we hope you help the team a lot and we always see your huge talent. The changing-room has welcomed you with open arms and we want you to feel that way".

After the message, Nolito emphasised the environment of the group: "It's one of the secrets to success of the team. There's a good environment, and that translates on the field. That's the key because the team, beyond being competitive, all want to play and it's crucial that there's a good environment. It's been spectacular since I arrived in that sense".