MARCAO: “WE ARE MAKING GOOD PROGRESS, THE AMBITION AND DETERMINATION OF THIS TEAM IS ENORMOUS”

Marcao was interviewed on the first episode of 'El Cubo'. He began by speaking about his form: “This year is different after several injuries. I'm better, we're working to win every game regardless of the opponent we're up against." 

After highlighting Mendilibar as one of the coaches who has helped him the most and the Europa League triumph, he also pointed out that he has recovered mentally from everything he has gone through: “After two very difficult years going through injuries, being close to family has helped me and then my psychologist. I thought it was silly at first but when difficult moments happened, she helped me through them and then also my agent. So I was more relaxed and understanding of the situation and then I had to change many habits such as diet and training. I did things well to improve." 

As for his relationship with García Pimienta, he spoke about the coach's confidence in him and his belief in himself: “At the beginning of the season, the coach was happy with me in a difficult situation. He was counting on me and I wanted to stay and if the coach wants me to stay it is important for me. We spoke before the Orlando Pirates game to tell me I wasn't going to play and the psychologist told me to keep my head strong and show that you want to stay. It was to train more, talk to my teammates. I had no serious offers, I always wanted to stay here. Physically and mentally it's the best year of the three years I've been here.” As for being a club captain, he was very excited: “For me, being captain is a source of pride. To be captain of a club like Sevilla is because the club and teammates think well of you. I think of the collective, if they are happy and happy for me, it is the most important thing. Football is like that and life goes by very fast but you have to have to be mentally right. The level of concentration and demands must be high and when things are not going well you have to continue, nothing can change." 

"Being one of the captains of Sevilla FC is a source of pride for me" 

He was full of praise for Jesus Navas: “He is a very great player. He has won many things with Sevilla, with the national team... I don't know what to say about him, because his career says it all. Now he's retiring at the end of the year and he's still training the same way as when I arrived. Words can't express what a legend he is. Even when he is struggling to walk he is thinking about playing and motivating the young players. It's amazing!" 

He also stressed that the team is focused on the day-to-day, without long-term objectives: “I think about every training session and every game. We are making good progress, we have many qualities. The ambition and grit that this group has is enormous, in Bilbao it was a difficult match and the team never gave up, for example."