Vicky López (Madrid, July 26, 2006) has Aura de Estrella. For his talent, of course, for his self -confidence, for his charisma -and for his hairstyle. They compare it with many – and many – players. With Alexia, with Aitana, even with Lamine Yamal, his friend. But she says she is and wants to be “Vicky Solo”, who grew up playing on the beach and in the courtyard of his house watching Neymar videos.
The young player of FC Barcelona, who is being one of the proper names of this Eurocup in her first major tournament with the absolute Spanish team, He attends to the Iberian press in Lausana with a unmistakable spicy smile and with the personality and trust of someone who is living a dream and who wants to write his name in history.
Everyone is talking about you these days. Do you know?
(Laughs). I try not to listen to the noise outside. I know that I am feeling good and that I am enjoying my first Eurocup with the absolute.
Well, what a pleasure to see him enjoy.
It is that for me that is everything. I play football to enjoy, and when I enjoy it is that I am very happy. In recent years I have not done it as much as I would like, but now I am very happy, the truth.
Although you are Vicky, you have had to replace Aitana in these first two games, with all that that implies. Have you felt some pressure, even just a bit?
Not at all. If I thought I had to make Aitana, I would go wrong. As he says, Aitana is Aitana and I am me and I come to enjoy. Each has its qualities. We are a team in which whoever can be played and that is the good thing about Spain, that there is a lot of competitiveness. We all train one hundred percent to help the team in the role that touches us. The last word has Montse.
He talked about enjoying and, the other day, trustworthy. How do you feel in this regard?
It is something to work. There are people who have more their own confidence and others who cost them more. If you trust yourself, things surely go better. But sometimes you need that external trust to give yourself a push and to be freer in the field.
Has the change in position in Barça influenced this, to the end right?
It is that, in the end, when there is such a change, you need an adaptation time. I think that in my last extreme matches, against sports or against Sevilla, I felt good. In that position I do not touch as much ball as in the middle, but I adapt. It has cost me, but I feel good. And I'm going to do my best wherever they put me.
The beginning in this euro has been unbeatable. Now, against Italy, the first place are played. Kika (Nazareth) wants you to do the game of your lives because the classification of Portugal depends on you.
(Laughs). Yes, yes. He has already written to me, he told us all. We have it clear. But beyond that, it is obviously important for us to also win this game. It is the leadership, but also, if you win, the rivals are more afraid of you, more respect. And it is not worth relaxing. We have to finish the group stage well to face the rooms with good feelings.
Where did you learn to haggle and these star details that continue to surprise?
As a child I saw Neymar a lot and then went down to the patio and tried to imitate him, at school and at home. I also played a lot with my brother and he, and when read this is going to get very happy, he has taught me many things, such as the vision of the game. But to haggle, no. This is to see Neymar.
“I saw Neymar a little boy and then went down to the patio and tried
When Madrid CFF signed him for his quarry, he caught him on the beach. That street more street continues to take it inside, right?
Yes, yes. I think I am one of the most rogues of the team and this is always a plus that of course serves me, although the style of play when you start on the street, on the beach, on the courts or in the courtyard of the school is very different. All sum.
Why the 19?
Because my favorite number is 9, and since I cannot have it, because I take the 19th. It is not for Lamine or anything, which then tells me that I copy me.
Has he told him?
Yes, yes (laughs). You would like. When I can, I'm going to take 9.
International journalists keep asking us about the environment in the selection after a few complicated years. You, who is New Savia, what costumes has been found?
I liked what Patri (Guijarro) said the other day, that this mixture of youth and veteran is very good to the team. The younger there are, the better I feel because in the end I can be more. I think we are being more and more team and that shows in the change, in the environment, and I love it.
Do not cut even when uploading a photo in networks with Alexia grimace.
(Laughs). We go together on the bus and it's very heavy, so I have to get it. He watched him a lot and it seemed to me that he hit, the photo, there.
A few months ago we did an interview and gave us permission to tell us why it is called 'Stitch'.
He says that when I laugh a lot, I browse my eyes and I look like Stitch, from the movie. That I don't think so, but hey, if she says it … I will have to respect it. Then I call him Lilo.
He also told us that before the songs went up to the first team somewhat more self -conscious with the veteran and that now, instead, you even hesitate.
Because she shows you that closeness to be able to do it. With her I can be me. Already on my first day he approached me and told me that I was there for whatever and so. In the bad times I have had, she has been one of the first to be there and now there is more and more confidence and I will hesitate her more. I am a bit heavy, really.
“With Alexia I can be me. Already on my first day he approached and told me that I was there for whatever and so it was. In the bad times I have had, she has been one of the first to be there. There is more and more confidence and I will hesitate her more”
Any advice that has given you?
She is always there and always captures me when I am a little more angry or sad. He captures me and gives me advice. And it reassures me, especially.
You have reached the elite in an improved context and in which we have all normalized that both Barça and the team almost always win. Do you remember them, the captains, from time to time, what has cost to get here?
I would tell him yes, although I don't have very good memory. But I am very aware and I like to think that thanks to them I can be here today because they have fought a lot to make it. They are going to throw my anger because I think I've called them old, but no. It is like that. The first generations fought a lot for them and for which we came, and thanks to them we now have the conditions we have and it is something that I like to remember.
We have a surprise for you (Video by Cristina Librán, Madrid CFF player and European champion with the U19): Hi, Vicky. Nothing, I just wanted to remind you that you are doing it super good, that from Spain we support you a lot and that you continue like this. Much encouragement and we hope the Cup will come here. A hug.
Oh … I'm going to throw the anger because he hasn't told me any of this, nor has he escaped! I have grown with her and she is one of my best friends. I am going to tell you an anecdote that I think almost nobody knows. When I arrived at Madrid CFF we did a first training to see where we were going. And when I left training, I told my father: “Dad, I want them to put me with that of the bangs, please, with that of the bangs.” They put me with her and made great years together. I think the connection I have with her I will not have it with anyone and I am looking forward to playing together. I want the best always and I am very happy because she has made a great European.
Two years after that lost final in the European U-17, in which you participated, they have been able to win it with the U-19. How did he live it?
I took a weight off. I am super happy for it, I always told them: “You have to win, please, you have to win.” And make it return, in quotes. Above, they won by win in the final against France.
He is 18 years old, about to meet 19, and is in the first team of Barça and in the absolute selection. Do you think that, in general, both in male and female football, there is little patience today? What are there people who are not in the elite with 15 years and seeks to change equipment?
I notice it with Lamine. He has achieved a lot of things with 17 years and is a starter at Barça and in the National Team. And I think many young people compare with him and you don't have to do it, because there are one among many. Each one has their way and and I also try to tell my friends, that each one has his own, which sometimes starts easy and then puts you uphill. Or it starts more complicated and then it is all tranquility and happiness. There is no way or objectives better than others.
When was that friendship with Lamine?
I was in Madrid CFF and a tournament was played in which there were male and female teams. Some friends coincided with him, who was dwarf, and got along. And I, I don't know why, I started to get along with him, with Shane (Kluivert), with Dani Ávila … and then I arrived at Barça and he was also in the Masia and we congensed very well, because I think we have a similar personality.
“I met Lamine when I was in Madrid CFF, in a tournament, and then we agreed in the Masia and we congensed very well, because I think we have a similar personality”
The fact that girls can also live in the Masia contributed to a larger synergy between male and female teams? Because now we can see Lamine, Héctor, Gavi and company in your matches and before it was unthinkable.
Definitely. I, for example, that I come from Madrid, during the first years I was not there much. Then there was a lot in the Masia and you spent a lot of time with the people who are there. And so my relationship with Pau Prim arises, for example. Create links and support you need in your day to day. And Pau, for me, has been a great support these years.
A year ago they made many jokes with the selectivity and is now studying business administration and management. How does it carry it?
I have always liked to plan well. And studying this career also helps me to distract me, so not everything is football. I love mathematics, for example. And when I did mathematics, I had a great time, even if I was not in the field playing. You never know what is going to happen in your future, and if I have the ability to do both … why not?
The last. I saw a video of his, a couple of years ago, singing the anthem of Barça perfectly. I am not going to ask him to sing it, for the moment, but have you learned any of Catalan at this time or are you knowing only the anthem?
Yes, yes! I have not gone to Catalan classes, but I always listened to how they talked. At first I didn't understand anything. But all the time asked and asked and I think he could now have a conversation in Catalan. I would be wrong in something, but I have improved a lot and I understand it perfectly.
Well, next will be in Catalan …
Made!
