Gustavo Cabral (Isidro Casanova, 1985) is a class player. His is a worker, so he asks the youngest to nourish their experiences: “to squeeze me to the last drop.” Because if his shirt is drained, memories come out like the wonderful years of Celta who touched a Europa League final. The best example of the generation that has achieved the return of the celestial to continental adventures. His passport goes further, exercising as a captain of a Pachuca who waits in the dark to a Real Madrid who was charged with doubts on the first day.
For Mexicans there is no margin of error in a tournament cut where they stumbled on the first stone. However, they have little to lose in an international stage where they already paid, as in the last intercontinental cup, in which they reached the final, precisely against the white box. Little time has passed since then, but many aspects have changed in both contenders, starting with the coaches.
Precisely, Cabral's idea is, in a not too distant time, to assume the leadership of a club from the bench. Something for which it has formed. A determined transition that cooks without feeling the weight of age and aware that the best is always coming. The philosophy of a blunt central in the field, but affable in all answers that clears with a smile that eliminates the wall so high that elite football has imposed to deal with players.
The initial training with which Pachuca debuted in the Club World Cup. / AP
How are you carrying this Club World Cup, atypical quotes in the calendar? Much physical effort, difficult times to carry …
There are many temperature changes. Out, very heat and humidity, which is playing an important role in the games and adaptation. Inside, quite cold, for the issue of air conditioning. But the fields are very good. It is true that in our debut we did not have too much people, but ours were, they wrapped us. As the matches pass, more people will come.
What goals has this World Cup Pachuca? What balance do you make of the initial defeat against RB Salzburg?
I think the first encounter took positive things, despite the defeat. It was a hard blow, but that the team did good things. There are things to correct, but we are in growth phase. Pachuca is going to make a good game with Real Madrid. We know that it is one of the favorites, but we are not going to lower our arms. On the contrary, that will motivate us.
Do you think that for Concacaf and Conmebol teams this World Cup arrives at a better time than for Europeans?
Could be. The teams in Europe come with more charge of matches. We come from making a mini preseason, it can be said. In the case of Pachuca, we had two preparation matches: one with Al Ahly in Miami and another with coyotes, of the Mexican ascent. And yes, it can be affecting the trip, coming to a new country and getting used to the weather, which is also an important factor.
Real Madrid has great individualities, but they are a team under construction. It is not the same as we face at the Intercontinental last December. They have important casualties, such as Mbappé
How do you see the duel against Real Madrid? The Hilal already gave you clues.
Yes, they are individually great players, but it is a team under construction. It is not the same as we face at the Intercontinental last December. They have important casualties, such as Mbappé. We will have to see how it evolves. We will fight. We always plant ourselves against the rival that touches. The plan is to be the protagonist, have the ball, try to take care of it a lot, to attack and create spaces. We have changed a lot about the last tournament with another coach. There were good things in the previous game that must be highlighted, and the negatives, correct them. Our coach, Jaime Lozano, in a good coach. He is very trained, has been in the selection, in Necaxa … His idea I like: to have the ball, play from behind, work a system during the week and that the striker gets to define with advantage.
What do you think is the weak point of Real Madrid?
It may be that the defense. There we can try to hurt. We have experienced players like Rondón, a great striker, and young people like Kennedy, from Fluminense. Our motivation will be 200% to compete against these greats.
Why did the MX League catch you? What makes it special? It is increasingly an option for players like Sergio Ramos, óliver Torres, Sergio Canales …
Before going to Spain I played a year at Tecos de Guadalajara. It is a very open league, where any team can be champion. The liguilla format gives you that possibility. It is a very intense league. In Europe the ball runs through the grass and irrigation. In Mexico we run. It is more demanding in the physical, more friction, but there is a lot of quality. The impact of Sergio Ramos, with the trajectory he has, has been very important. Like channels. Oliver Torres stayed a bit out of the margin, but Lucas Ocampos is also contributing. They are players who have done things well in Europe.
Gustavo Cabral, in his stage in Celta, celebrating a goal. / Juan Herrero / EFE
How has Gustavo Cabral evolved? Do you feel the weight of the age?
One does feel great for football. There are boys like Lamine Yamal, 17 or 18, debuting. They are doing very well. But leadership I still have it, it is something born in me. I feel good with 39 years and try to contribute as much as I can. I always tell you: 'Exproimen me what they can, that there is little already'. Although I was already training in Primera. I debuted with 18, in December 2003, with Racing. At that time there were few young people. Today there are 60-70% of young people at the schools.
Since you travel to Argentina on your tour of the past, how do you see the teams in your country in this Club World Cup?
South America in general is competing well: Palmeiras, Botafogo, River, Boca … I wish the group stage pass and get away. In addition, they are putting the tournament color. That motivates and makes a great favor to the competition.
When I left Celta, I took the player shirt, but I put on the fan. My family is Celtist. We were very nervous in the last game and with the goal of Iago Aspas we were very happy. As I always say, Iago has a second skin and is that of Celta's shirt
How much would you have liked to play in Europe with Celta, as will this season happen? You were seven years in which you played more than 220 games.
Clear! How will I not follow you. When I left, I took the player shirt but put on the fan. My family is Celtist. We were very nervous in the last game and with the goal of Iago Aspas we put all supercontent. As I always say, Iago has a second skin and is that of the Celtic shirt. There is no doubt and makes me very happy for him and for everyone. For the city, the fans … I spent seven years living to the fullest. I have a very special affection.
You said you want them to squeeze you to the fullest, but it will come a moment, sooner rather than later, where you will have to hang your boots …
Yes, my plan B is to be a coach, that is the idea. I have done the coach course, now I am homologating it to be able to direct at the American continent level. I have that possibility of transmitting my knowledge, of being able to feel as a player so far. Then, once I finished binding the 'ankle boots' last time and I say goodbye as a player, I want to start as a coach. I think I can contribute to the boys everything I have cultivated as a player. I can transmit it to me and that pleases me a lot.
Will you be more 'cholista' (he had Simeone in Rivar and Racing) or Luis Enrique (Celta)? Level references for what you have lived in your career are not missing …
I keep a little of everything. I would like to have a bit of Luis Enrique when playing, for how the group handled, not only with the headlines, but those who did not play, who always had us happy. And that speaks very well of him too, because of the fact that I believe that the ones who most enhance those who are playing are the substitutes. Because they have to squeeze from behind. And if you have them happy, this will boost the team. Berizzo would also take his spectacular ability to handle the group. The success that Celta had was for that. If at the time Berizzo told you: 'Tye a well', you threw yourself without looking. The team was a faithful reflection of that. He died in the Europa League semifinal against Manchester United with pride. Of course, I will be consistent: what I do not like to do to me as a player I will not do it as a coach.
