Exclusive: Alvaro Negredo Opens up on His Future – “I Would Like to Retire From Football at Cadiz”

Talking about veterans of the sport, Alvaro Negredo is undoubtedly one of them. Negredo started his youth football career way back in 2003 with Rayo Vallecano B. The best part about Negredo’s career is that he hasn’t shied away from branching out to play the game in different countries.

Despite being born in Madrid, Negredo accepted the one-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play for Manchester City in 2013. The football veteran has created a memorable legacy, starting with Rayo Vallecano and Real Madrid Castilla, further moving onto Almeria, Sevilla, Manchester City, Valencia, Middlesbrough, Besiktas, Al-Nassr, and finally Cadiz CF.

In July 2020, 34-year-old Negredo decided to join Cadiz CF, which meant that he would finally move back to Spain. Negredo’s experience on the pitch has been vital for a newly promoted Cadiz. The No. 9 had initially signed a one-year deal with the Spanish club. To everyone’s joy, Cadiz secured a safe #12 place finish on the points table. Negredo was also the top goal scorer of the club that season after banging in 8 goals and recording four assists.

Alvaro Negredo has shared quite a few iconic moments at Cadiz too. He scored a commendable hat-trick against CD Villa de Fortuna during a 7-0 win in the Spanish Cup. Despite scoring 7 goals that season, Cadiz just managed to escape relegation by a single point. Cadiz highly valued his presence and offered him a contract to stay another year. Further, the Spanish football club offered Negredo another contract extension in November last year.

In an exclusive interview with EssentiallySports, Alvaro Negredo spoke about various stages of his career. While the interview mainly focused on his phenomenal tenure at Cadiz, the veteran also addressed a few questions surrounding his rich football history.

At the age of 37, how do you cope with your fitness and the pace of the game? What is your role in Cadiz?

A footballer knows that when he has a birthday he has to evolve. I train giving my best every day and I am ready for what the coach needs from me.

Do you see yourself playing for Cadiz in the coming years?

I am very happy in Cádiz. I want to continue playing football and once I had to retire, do it with this jersey.

Cadiz is a club with a rich history from the start of La Liga. How do you feel about representing the club at this age and with so much experience?

Cádiz has been growing for years and aspires to stay many years in La Liga Santander. Our history is written every day. All players are important. History is written as a group, not individually.

How do you guide and teach the youngsters coming out of the Cadiz academy?

I really enjoy every day. I like to talk to the younger players and visit the academies. When I help them, I feel very happy.

Who is your best friend in the Cadiz squad?

We are a family. It’s the truth. The things we achieve are due to the fact that we all have a brotherly relationship. Choosing one would be unfair because they are all important to me.

Valencia’s Negredo ‘the perfect striker’, says Neville

Born in Madrid, had you dreamed of playing for Real Madrid? And how was it when you finally got to play wearing the white jersey?

Football has stages. Playing for Real Madrid was a dream come true but it has not been the only one. Each club has a purpose, each objective is difficult to achieve and that difficulty makes you grow as a footballer and as a person.

Unfortunately, the Madrid spell was not long for you. But that gave birth to the best span of your career in the coming years with Sevilla, Man City. How was that transition?

Each club has given me experiences to grow as a person. They have all helped me to be the Negredo that I am today.

How did you feel when a dressing room of superstars like Ronaldo, Van Nistelrooy, Huntelaar, Benzema, Higuain, and 23-year-old yourself were all fighting for the same position?

Sharing a locker room with great footballers makes you grow. Every day I wanted to be like them and be the one chosen to play. They were all different but they all helped me a lot.

You scored a hat-trick in the Champions League with Manchester City in 2013, which was also, the first time a Man City player scored a hat-trick in the UCL. What were the emotions going through your mind after the game?

The goal is the striker’s dream. Scoring three goals in a match is an ecstasy of pleasure. These are days that are never forgotten.

What are your thoughts on the Messi vs Ronaldo debate, having been in the same dressing room as Ronaldo?

I stay with Ronaldo and Messi. Both are players with different talents but at the same level.

Who is the most talented player you played with?

David Silva.

What do you think of Major League Soccer in the USA? Do you see yourself playing in the USA in the near future?

I am not close to these options, but I would like to retire from football at Cádiz.

The 37-year-old will now stay at the club till at least June 2024. This season has been a very hard survival battle for Negredo and Cadiz together and the No.9 veteran striker will look surely look to lead his side to win another hard-fought survival battle.

Next up, Cadiz is facing Sevilla who are equal on points with them on the table. Cadiz is still really close to the bottom three. In order to stay away from the bottom half of the table, they need to get on a winning streak starting against Sevilla. However, being a club that remarkably staved off relegation in the past three seasons, Cadiz can hopefully rise up on the point table.

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