Following his first goal since joining Inter in the 2-1 win against Hellas Verona at the Stadio Marc’Antonio Bentegodi, former Fiorentina midfielder Borja Valero gave a long interview to Marca Plus, speaking on a wide variety of topics.
“When they called me, they asked me to do exactly what I did at Fiorentina, that is, to be constant and do my job well. I am a footballer. I was convinced that I would end my career in Florence, but then the conditions to come to Inter arrived and I know I’m lucky to have had this chance at my age. ”
Borja Valero was then asked about leaving Florence and Fiorentina stating that: “Pantaleo Corvino had a different way of thinking from me, we did not agree and the relationship broke down. I could not stay in a place where I did not agree with who was my boss, so I decided to listen to the various offers, Luciano Spalletti was the one who insisted on me, he gave me a lot of confidence. It was not a question of money, otherwise I would have gone to China last Christmas, they offered me three times what Inter have to offered me.”
“I left the Fiorentina fans on good terms because they understood my position. I was honest with them and when things got rough, they’ve always been on my side. But I took it for granted that I would have retired in Florence. The idea of leaving the city gave me almost vertigo. I came out of my comfort zone but this was also a motivation to change because it is thought that at my age a player is already at the end of his career. And instead, I came to Inter, I took a step forward” Valero continued.
The Spanish midfielder then elaborated on the way his current team Inter play: “We play with two central midfielders and my job is to make a contribution in the possession of the ball and to assist in the final third. It is very different from Fiorentina, there are big expectations and they have not won anything in many years. There is a lot of pressure and I have to adapt.”
Do you feel like you’re currently in top form?
“I may be at this moment. In the end, the body has its limits, but I think to enjoy this great moment. What I do not want is to make it clear that I do not feel good about it and want to make it known. I do not know, but there are moments when you think of things other than football, and even though I think it’s the dream of many, it’s psychologically weighing. I have not been able to do it now, but what about after? I want to go back to school, I left too early, I would like to get a bachelors degree and dedicate myself to my family. I know if I was not a footballer, I could have done anything, I’m sure.”
