<Albert PUIG ORTONEDA>
Q, please tell us about the thoughts written on the votive tablet.
A, As a value in my life, I believe that the only and most important thing we humans can ask of any god of any religion is health. Regarding everything else, I think each individual must make their own efforts. Being righteous as a person, continuously making efforts, and cherishing those close to us—every religion asks us to value the people around us. However, there are parts we can control and parts we cannot. One’s own health is something that cannot be controlled by oneself alone. If gods do exist, I sincerely want to pray to all gods to grant me health. I want to ask the gods to allow me to live a better, healthier life for a long time. Everyone probably asks the gods to win titles, but if all teams ask the gods for titles, the gods would end up fighting among themselves. Shouldn’t we avoid that? A war among gods would break out. Therefore, I do not ask for victory or titles. I want to pray to the gods for the health of myself and everyone involved with the team. For everything else, I want to steadily continue making efforts.
Q: Have there been any prayers for victory at other teams?
A: In my country, Catholicism is predominant, but there is a custom similar to Japan where players and staff visit a church at the start of the season to pray for health and safety. When I served as the Academy Director at FC Barcelona, at the beginning of the season, all players and staff from every category of the academy would visit a church called Montserrat, located deep in the mountains of Catalonia. There, a wonderful children's choir performs, and it is customary to listen to their beautiful singing and pray for health and safety. Although there are various religions depending on the region, similar customs exist in all religions, and in that sense, I believe all humanity is fundamentally the same.
Q: This will be the second season for the coach himself. How would you assess the team's maturity through the training camp?
A: Things are progressing smoothly just as I expected. By building on the foundation we established last season, I have a feeling we can get off to an even better start. Our goal this season is to consistently deliver good play and good results in a stable manner, along with the style that is gradually taking hold. I also want to instill a winner’s mentality throughout the entire club, one that is focused on competing to win. Once that mentality is firmly established, I believe we will be able to achieve great success in the not-too-distant future. In any case, there is no doubt that we are moving in a positive direction. However, just because we are heading in the right direction doesn’t mean we will win the league. Please don’t misunderstand that. Regarding winning the championship, I neither guarantee it nor wish to comment on it. What I do guarantee is that we will continue to fight each match with a strong determination to win every single game in front of us.
<Masato MORISHIGE>
Q: When you come to pray for victory, do you feel that the opening is finally here?
A: Before the COVID-19 pandemic, we always came to Meiji Jingu together around this time, so I am happy that all the players could come together like this for the first time in several years.
Q: It was written on the votive tablet that there were no injuries for a year, but are you still concerned about injuries?
A: Since this is about praying to the gods, there are times when injuries are beyond our control, so we ask for their protection. As for the results in soccer, those depend on us, so we want to earn them through our own efforts.
Q: How do you want to spend this season as a team?
A: Of course, we aim to win the championship, and I believe that winning each match is a cumulative effort of how well we can fight without losing to ourselves. So, throughout the year, I want the team to consistently perform at a stable level.
Q, how about as an individual?
A: As an individual, I believe that if I can stay injury-free and perform well, I can play at 100 percent for the entire year, so I want to prepare thoroughly and give it my all.
Q: How is the team's maturity level throughout the camp in the second season under Coach Albert?
A: This season, we are focusing more on quality and building up the finer details. During the camp, we were able to clearly identify our strengths and weaknesses, so I believe it is important to rigorously work on those throughout the entire season.
Q, please tell us your enthusiasm for this season.
A: In any case, if everyone can give 100% effort throughout the entire season, I believe we can definitely compete for the championship and reach the title. First, we want to firmly spend every day at 100%, putting pressure on ourselves as we go forward.
Q: This year, you are the "nen-dan" (a person who turns a certain age in a specific year). How do you feel about being able to continue playing football until this age?
A: I believe I can still do more, and I want to make this Year of the Rabbit a year to leap forward.
Q: Shinji KAGAWA has returned to Cerezo Osaka. How do you feel about the J-League comeback of players from the same generation?
A, first of all, I am honestly happy that he has returned to the J-League, and I want to help elevate the league together. However, he is a tough opponent to face, and I have known his characteristics and greatness for a long time, so I want to suppress that. I am really looking forward to competing against him.
Q: This is your second year as a professional player. How would you evaluate your personal growth over the past 12 years?
A: I was 24 years old 12 years ago, but I don't think it was a very good age. However, as I have grown older and experienced many things, I want to show that in my results.
Q, by the way, it was the season when we won the J2 League 12 years ago.
A: The season we won the J2 League? Yes, I think that year was good. I want to win the championship again after 12 years.
<Kashif BANGNAGANDE>
Q, how was the victory prayer after the J-League opening?
A, we started from the camp and have been preparing up until now, and we have finally reached the point where the opening is just two weeks away. This was my first time doing a victory prayer since turning professional, and I sincerely prayed to the gods here, hoping to make it a good season.
Q: What do you want to win, even though it is written as "win" on the votive tablet?
A, not only the matches themselves but also winning one-on-one situations in the upcoming games and various other scenarios—I wrote it because this year I want to cherish the meaning of winning in all these aspects.
Q: I think there were also matches where you played as a starter throughout the camp. How did you feel about the camp overall?
A, in terms of results, I was able to provide several assists in matches, and I believe I was recognized for that and given opportunities to play in the first team several times, which I think was good. However, there are top-level players in the same position who are also delivering results, so I really don’t know if I will be able to play until the very end. Therefore, I want to keep pushing for results and make my case until the season opener.
Q, do you have any specific goals as an individual?
A: As an individual goal, last season in the J.League I had 1 goal and 2 assists, but personally, I have always wanted to increase both my goals and assists compared to last season.
Q, please tell us your enthusiasm for this season.
A: As I wrote on the ema plaque, I want to win each match in front of me, both personally and as a team, aiming for more victories and finishing with good results. I plan to start the season with my gear at maximum and give it my all.
Q: How do you feel about the Paris Olympic generation and the second round of World Cup qualifiers for the national team?
A, I was able to go on overseas expeditions last season as well, and if the team achieves results, I believe I will be called up. If I can play well with the team, I think I can also play for the national team, so the most important thing is the team. First, I want to produce results with the team, have the coach see that, and if called up, give my all.
Q, did you have any thoughts after watching last year's Club World Cup in Qatar?
A: The World Cup I watched when I was little always felt like a distant event, but seeing Nagatomo, who always played in the same position as me, performing on that stage was amazing. For me, it has become a standard that I have to surpass Nagatomo to stand on that stage, and it has been a great source of motivation.
Q, the accuracy of crosses has improved considerably, and I think you originally said that you wanted to make that your weapon. How do you feel about the current situation?
A, last season, the accuracy of my crosses gradually improved, and they started to suit the players making runs inside, creating several chances. Including the camp period, I feel that my sense has also improved, so I want to continue refining that and aim to turn it into assists and goals this season.
