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LIVERPOOL FC: DADS AND LADS: PERIKO AND XABI ALONSO

Concluding our two-part 'Dads and Lads' series, Guillem Balague speaks to Xabi Alonso and his father Periko about their careers, the modern game and about being one of the most famous footballing families in Spain.

/noticias.info/ Periko Alonso was a combative midfielder who played for Barcelona alongside Maradona and Bernd Schuster and won La Liga there in 1985.

But at home in the Basque country, he is revered for his role in the great Real Sociedad side that won back-to-back titles in 1981 and 1982. He played 20 times for Spain and finished his playing career at Sabadell before moving into coaching. In 2000 he took over at Sociedad, where his son Xabi had progressed through the youth ranks.

He resigned from the club and management after just ten games. Today he helps run the family iron business and shuns publicity. Xabi says it is "extraordinary" that his dad took the time to speak to Champions.


When your sons said: "Dad, I want to be a footballer," did it make you happy?

That's not really your choice. They started when they were very young. That's a beautiful period. As time wears on, they progress. We're lucky that both Mikel and Xabi have grown up to be professional players.

Did having a Real Sociedad legend as his father help or impede Xabi?

You could argue that it harmed his chances, but in football you just have to put the work in every matchday. A player has to demonstrate his worth, regardless of name.

Has the game changed since your day?

These days it has a lot more influence, with huge sums of money moving around. Tactics and preparation have changed, but the actual playing is the same.

Best memory from your playing days?

I had the good fortune to start at Real at an incredible time for the club; it was great. The three seasons at Barcelona are a source of great pride, and the three years at Sabadell after that were extraordinary. We were in the second division, got promoted and then they were two unforgettable years.

Those were Sociedad's best years...

I don't know if they will be bettered, but it was a good period. We had a good crop of players… Arconada, Zamora, Satrústegui, Ufarte. Things went well, and we were lucky with injuries. Back then it was easier to keep players, so our coach José Luis Orbegozo could keep the team together.

Before you signed for Barça did you have offers to play abroad?

It was more difficult back then. Globalisation has had an effect now. It gives players a much wider experience of life, which is good for everyone.

Do you talk to your son about your experiences as a player?

Yes, but the best way to understand it is to watch videos from the time. We've done that many times. The feeling you get playing, winning titles, can be hard to express in words. You have to be there and live through it, but for fans of Real they are memories you'll never erase.

And your European Cup memories?

I only played one match – the return leg against CSKA Sofia, when Bakero got a bad knee injury and we were knocked out. But there is a UEFA Cup tie that sticks in the memory, against Inter. It was 0-0 at half-time in the first leg, away, but we ended up losing 3-0. In the return leg it was 2-0 and we were so close to drawing. It was a tense game; for me, one of the most exciting ever played at Atocha.

Were you nervous before big games?

You notice when games have that edge. That's when great players step up. Champions League games have that edge to them, a special charm.

How do you feel when you watch Xabi play in the Champions League?

The year they won in Istanbul… the semi-final against Chelsea was impressive because of the immense atmosphere at Anfield, and then of course the final. Unbelievable. I would love to have experienced that as a player.

What does he say about these games?

It is such a great story for Xabi to be able to tell, winning the biggest title you can at club level. I'm not sure how old he was, only 23 or 24, but it was a great experience for him.

Do you often watch Xabi at Anfield?

Not enough; we're always looking for matches we can go to. The atmosphere is electric. I will never forget the song they sing at the beginning of the match. It is stunning. The crowd are so respectful. In Athens, the Liverpool supporters waited to applaud Milan as they did a lap of honour. Only after that did they leave to go home. They are good people.

What do you think about the strength of the English Premier League?

Look at the top four teams: there aren't all that many English players in there, but that's where the money is, which attracts the best players. There are other good clubs too – Everton, Portsmouth, Manchester City or Blackburn – although they all need to step up to the next level.

What are your memories of when Xabi started playing?

As I said before, when your son tells you he wants to play football there's not much you can do. The kid starts on the beach, then in school, kids' competitions, and moves through the ranks. I remember his time at Sanse; his time at Eibar was really good for him. You try to give advice, but you must be cautious and responsible. He enjoyed some great times at Real as well, coming second in the league, but in football you have to take each day as it comes.

What advice did you give him?

Above all to be professional. To train as hard as possible every day and to keep your hunger for winning. This is really important. Xabi has that hunger.

So Xabi, what do you remember about your dad as a player?

Mikel and I were privileged enough to go training with my dad when he was at Sabadell. They'd train in one goal on Saturday mornings and we'd be kicking balls at the other end. I was five or six and soon realised this was not normal; other kids couldn't do that. As we got older, I enjoyed seeing him pass the ball, and we practised passing a lot. I guess that's where we learned to be midfielders. Our games were about passing the ball, not so much kicking it at the goal. We played to hit the bar or stones, games that strengthened our precision. When we got older he realised we enjoyed football, but he was never on top of us telling us what to do. I never felt pressure from him.

A favourite moment?

One of his was when he played for Barcelona against Red Star, and Maradona lobbed the goalie. Nobody expected it. It's hard to do things that fellow professionals don't expect.

What advice did he give you?

Keep my feet on the ground. When things go well you're not as good as people say; and when they don't, you're not as bad as people suggest. The worst thing that can happen to a kid is to create false expectations. My dad preferred to give me advice about school rather than about football. We never had a "Dad, I'm going to be a footballer" conversation, you could see it coming bit by bit. Real came in for my brother and I; we started with the B-side then everything becomes more serious. I made my debut with Real and there was no way back. Time dictates your future.

And when you moved to Liverpool?

I remember the first match dad came to at Anfield, the Monaco game [in 2004]. He met people at the club, saw the attitude, atmosphere and passion and said: "Son, you have made a great choice, you are going to enjoy your football."

Being an Alonso, has that helped you?

I never felt that having a famous dad has gone against me. At first, people who didn't know us would say it helped me, I was getting to places because of him. But after a while you are able to shut people up and make them accept that I've got more than a surname taking me forward. notas_de_prensa_archivo