Entered at the first opportunity, open and relax as soon as you enter the lesson. He is a happy man and is, as he himself admits, “happy with life” at Vila-real and at Villarreal CF. Ayoze Pérez is one of those footballers whose fame does not go to his head, He is also humble in his hometown of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, playing with other children who approach him in Ciudad Deportiva, and while focusing on the national team.
He is a scorer, a European champion who has his feet on the ground and wins by a short distance, because he is shy on the outside.. He smiles, feels lucky in the job he does and thinks he’s landed on his feet in Submarine.The club that bets so much on him, will have to make a very difficult decision, like leaving Betis, where “he was very comfortable.”
He The Canadian striker took advantage of the national team’s break, how you are recovering from a quadriceps muscle problem, to Mediterráneo at José Manuel Llaneza Sports Citywhere he analyzed the past, the present and the future he hopes to have in this new field.
Ayoze, before discussing. km //
You seem blessed. Six goals in seven games, people love him, he goes to the national team… It has been reaching and kissing the saint.
The truth is that I have fallen on my feet since I arrived at Villarreal. They say that the best physical and mental age of an elite athlete comes between the ages of 29 and 33. I feel great physically, I’m very confident mentally and I’m in a good moment personally. I didn’t expect to have immediate performance.
Well, well, don’t be too modest. He has been performing and scoring goals. In England he is an idol and it is not easy.
I’m changing! (Laughter). I spent five great years at Newcastle, at least four, three and a half with Rafa Bentítez, who we took to the Premier League and I learned a lot from him.
To play more than 220 games for an English club like Newcastle, who have won the league four times, scoring almost 50 goals and providing 17 assists without playing as a ‘9’ is amazing. Don’t you think so?
I started as a ‘9’ at Newcastle, but soon they moved me to be a winger and it’s true that I did well and I was satisfied with my performance at such an important club. Playing in England and in the Premier League is a special experience for a footballer.
See if you were lucky enough that one-time Premier League winners Leicester City paid you more than €33 million.
The truth is that after five years at Newcastle he needed to change, both in the game and in the mind. And I signed for Leicester in 2019, years after they won the Premier League. Brendan Rodgers bet me and it was a great year in which we won two titles, the FA Cup (similar to the King’s Cup) and the Community Shield (English Super Cup), and we returned to Europe, giving Leicester the highest level of English football.
Well, then the change was sudden. He went from the cold of Newcastle and Leicester to the heat of Seville and the heat of Real Betis. Almost no!
He lived in Leicester for three and a half years and was in England for eight years. My mind asked me. I needed a change of mind and in January 2023 I agreed to go on loan to Betis so this summer I will be free and sign for them. I am very happy to be at Betis, and to do well, to play a lot of games, to score goals… it was a great year and a half.
The prize for all this was the Spanish team and the Euro Cup.
The fact is that when you play at this level you always have the hope of going to the national team. Man, going to the Euro Cup I didn’t expect. But as the season passed and I was added to the existing list, one rejoiced and saw that I had another way, even though I was always in the pools of those who were left behind. The truth was that during the last 10 days of my torture, the teacher believed me and the rest were already known. I was able to play and win the Erocopa with my country.
What is De la Fuente famous for?
His closeness. The teacher is very humble. He is equally visible on and off the field. His delivery method, the confidence he gives to the player, the messages he sends you… it all comes down to the player. In addition, they manage the locker room very well, since they are close and, in addition, they want more from you. Top choice.
And the summer came, the holiday and Villarreal. Did you expect it?
The truth is no. We won the Euro Championship, I went on holiday and there were talks at Betis to renew my contract and review my role. I thought it would happen and I will continue at Betis.
How did your arrival at Submarine come about?
There are times in your life when you have to make decisions, but in any area, not just football. And I had to think and decide what would be best for me. Villarreal came unexpectedly and they like me a lot, it was the club that bet on me the most.
Was it difficult to make the decision to change clubs?
I had to think hard. Honestly, it wasn’t easy at all. It was difficult for me because I was very comfortable at Betis. But I insist, in life you have to make decisions and I chose to sign for Villarreal, and I’m enjoying life. I am very happy to be here, in a club of this level.
Now, new team, new coach, new ideas. What do you think of Marcelino?
At first you have to adjust to new friends, methods and ideas of your new teacher, but everyone has helped me a lot. And of Marcelino, what can I say! I knew him before and he had spoken to me very well. He is so close and at the same time he wants so much. In addition, it is a constant need, a need for excellence that is the best for the team and the players. The coach makes you take all the water you have, to give your best, and that in high football is not difficult. We are in very good hands.
And the club, Villarreal, the project… Did it surprise you?
The truth is that everything is very good. From the outside it is already known that Villarreal is a big, tough and ambitious team. It’s good to be here. It’s a good job, we have good employees and the atmosphere is very good.
The Europa League has already been achieved here and the goal is to return to the European competition.
Everything has just started, we are working hard and if we continue to compete like before, the results will follow. Here we want more, both workers and workers have passion. It’s our DNA and that of the club, and of course we want to be in Europe again. I honestly believe that if we compete well and keep our ambitions to compete, we will be on top and fighting for Europe at the end of the season. We work together.
The last one. A classic that is always asked about the front. When you get off to a good start, do you score a few goals? Or if you prefer, what are your goals?
Hahaha (Laughing). First, we all know that the goals we prioritize are collective, and that’s what all players think about. So, personally, obviously the more goals I get, the better. We progress from there, from scoring. And believe me, the feeling of scoring and celebrating a goal is the most beautiful thing a footballer can experience. Without putting myself out there, what I hope to do is help with the goals of bringing Villarreal back to Europe.
