For Apertura 2024, the Cougars They chose to continue strengthening their squad with strategic signings, among which was the incorporation of the Spanish defender Ruben Duartewho arrived from Alavés of the Spanish League. This after having played nine years in the First Division of one of the best competitions in the world, not only being a starter, but also establishing himself as the captain of the team.
In interview with halftimeDuarte, who is an authoritative voice when it comes to European football, confessed that Within the National University there are several players whowithout any problem, They could make the leap to the Old Continent and rise to the occasion. Of course, it also hinted that there are off-field factors that tend to make this type of movement difficult in Mexican soccer.
“Of course (there are players in Pumas who can go to Europe), I speak for my team and teammates, I am on a daily basis with them and I was fortunate that with the Leagues Cup I was able to get to know the inside of the group. I don’t know if all of them, but I think Many of my teammates are capable of playing for any First Division club. (in Europe). Then there are extra-sports things where I no longer get involved, but in general I would say yes.”
Following the same line, when asked about the recent situation of Cesar Huerta and his failed signing Liverpoolthe European defender highlighted that the fact that a club of that magnitude focuses on a player is a reflection of the outstanding talent and work that the Chinese possesses. Duarte also shared that among the main characteristics of Huerta are its passion and professionalism both on and off the field of play.
“The thing about Chinese Liverpool took us all a little by surprise. But that is very good, that means that he is doing things very well, he is a born worker and a professional. I think one of the best things he has is that he does his job with passion, every time he goes out to train or go to a game every weekend he tries to leave everything. In the end he is a great player and the fact that there are clubs like Liverpool interested in him speaks very well of the work he is doing.. He has no ceiling, he can go wherever he wants, he is also standing out in the Mexican National Team. It is a very important piece for us and I hope we can enjoy it a lot.”
From LaLiga to Liga MX
The youth squad Spanish of Barcelona also revealed what the adaptation process of playing in The Spanish League to the MX League. Expressing that he is currently in great condition due to the contribution of his teammates and other Pumas staff to support him. In addition to being happy for the warm welcome he has received in the few months that he has been in national territory.
“I feel very good, I think From the first moment both my teammates and all the people around the club have made me feel at home. It is not easy to come from Spain to a country so far away and personally I had never left Spain, but everything was fine. My classmates are mostly to blame for me being so well adjusted. “I am happy for the welcome and eager to contribute more.”
In terms of the differences and similarities that the Spaniard found between LaLiga and Liga MX, he mentioned that They are both quite professionalin addition to having top-level facilities and technology to optimize the players’ performance. While in the football section, Duarte shared that the Spanish competition tends to be more tactical, where possession of the ball is prioritized more, while in its Mexican counterpart the “back and forth” and freedom of space usually provide greater facilities to the players. offensive players.
“I think that It’s all very similar. At the end of the day everything is very professional, the facilities, we have more and more tools to capture in the field such as GPS, cold treatment machines and it is all very similar. In terms of football, I think that in Spain it is much more tactical, there is much more help, the teams are closer together, they have more possession of the ball and I think thatHere it is much more back and forth, here the players are very well prepared physically, there are many more spaces. With that, any player can dribble and dribble at you and it becomes more complicated.”
Why change LaLiga for Liga MX?
Rubén Duarte was also sincere when explaining why he decided to leave one of the five best leagues in the world, LaLiga, to bet on Liga MX, explaining that After 10 years in Spain, his own body asked him for a change of pace. In addition to opting for Mexican soccer after the interest shown by the director of sports strategy, Eduardo Saracho and the good references he received from European players who had already played in Mexico.
“Regarding my departure from Spain, I had been there for 10 years, nine in the First Division and one in the Second due to the relegation two years ago and I think my body asked for it, I think I needed a change. In the end Eduardo (Saracho ) was interested in me, it was not easy because I have a six-month-old baby and the change is big.
“But I asked for advice from players who have played here, Spaniards above all and they spoke very well to me about the club, the city, the country and an important factor for me was also the language because I don’t speak English well. So being able to express myself both good and bad was important. Communicating with the people at the club made my adaptation much easier.”
When analyzing and comparing the level of the Mexican league against the Spanish one, Duarte highlighted that he considers that the Mexican championship is of a very good level and that “it has grown by leaps and bounds.” In addition to highlighting the fact that in the last decade several European players have opted for Liga MX and that has helped it raise its level of competition.
“As for the level of the Liga MX, I think it is very good, it is growing by leaps and bounds. I think more and more people are coming from Europe, with a very high level and we are already seeing it. The league is very even where any rival can beat you.” It hurts. There is a lot of level and I hope the league continues to grow because that will make for a very attractive and enjoyable competition.”
Could Rubén Duarte retire at Pumas?
The Pumas defender also shared the fact that, in his opinion, the Pumas fans are “the most important thing the club has.” Well He highlighted that the university fans have supported the team unconditionally. In addition to making it clear that the objective will always be to fight for the next title until it is obtained, as he believes that the fans deserve it. As if that were not enough, Duarte also mentioned that the atmosphere generated in the University Olympic Stadium is unique and he wants to be able to experience it repeatedly in the future.
“Very well, in the end they are the most important thing about this club. They are faithful both in the good and bad times. They are there, it has been reflected and they give us a lot, in the end we are the ones who have to respond within of the field. The union is very good if we want to reach the end of the season in good shape to fight for the title and I think they deserve it. My hair stands on end when I go out to CU, I listen to the anthem, it is a unique sensation and I hope I have many more opportunities.”
Finally, Rubén Duarte did not hesitate to say that, if possible, He would like to retire wearing the colors of the UNAM Pumasas he shared that he is “delighted” to belong to the institution. On the other hand, he expressed that although the 13 years of drought is an important accumulation, he also recognized that championships must be won on a daily basis through a combination of factors that include hard work, humility, support and the union between players, fans and the institution itself.
“Of course (I would like to retire here), I am super delighted here. In the end I know that it is a burden that they have gone so many years without a title, but winning it is achieved on a daily basis.in training, in the union of fans and players. Logically there will be bad moments like the three consecutive defeats, but it goes back. We must believe in work, in humility, in supporting each other more than ever and being together. In the end that is what leads to the end of the season being great or not and I think the team is on the right path to going in that direction.”
RGS
