Brais Méndez Reflects on Season Improvements and European Aspirations

Brais Méndez acknowledges to MARCA that he has been improving in recent matches compared to his performance at the start of the season. Initially, he felt uncomfortable due to speculation about his future during the summer. His desire is to return to the level he displayed in the Champions League and to qualify for Europe again with Real Sociedad.

**QUESTION**: How long did the excitement from the victory against Barcelona last?

**ANSWER**: Since returning to Zubieta on Wednesday, that victory is now in the past. We have a test this Sunday that will indicate our direction moving forward. We cannot dwell on the last three matches; if we want to be ambitious, we must strive for more and continue this winning streak.

**Q**: Did the night of Sunday match the excitement of the previous Tuesday? Have these been some of the best nights for you at Anoeta?

**A**: Since I joined the club, there have been many special nights, so I don’t want to focus solely on these. The nights in the Champions League, for instance, were fantastic. I would love to experience that again, and I smile recalling those moments. We work hard for such experiences, even though it’s currently a challenging task given our rough start this season.

**Q**: You have gained seven points from the last nine after only securing the same in the previous 21. What has changed?

**A**: Achieving these points, especially against tough opponents, has reinforced our belief in the daily work we are doing. What has changed? The coach has introduced a different approach that we understood from the outset, and it fits us well. Let’s be clear, it wasn’t Sergio’s fault that things weren’t working. Each of us must take responsibility; we could have done much better, and our level was lacking.

**Q**: When a team undergoes such a transformation, there are rumors about players not being supportive of the previous coach…

**A**: Not at all; I disagree. Sergio had a great relationship with everyone. He even congratulated me on my birthday recently, and we spoke. It’s not that we weren’t with him; unfortunately, things just didn’t click. We all wished it had gone better from the start.

**Q**: It seems from the outside that Matarazzo has something that makes him different.

**A**: He is a coach who conveys a lot of energy and vitality, which may resonate with the players and even the fans in the stadium.

**Q**: You appear to have flourished with the change in management. Do you agree?

**A**: Yes, perhaps. His style aligns well with mine; he encourages vertical play and quick transitions. I feel comfortable facilitating plays for the three forwards. I aspire to show an even better version of myself. My early months were exceptional but not sustainable. My best moments were in the Champions League.

**Q**: Do you miss those European days, even in the Europa League?

**A**: Absolutely, I miss them dearly. It frustrates me to watch Europe on TV, knowing we could have performed better and been there again. Missing out on European competition was tough, and we want to demonstrate that the previous season was a mistake. We need to be ambitious; why can’t we return to Europe this season?

**Q**: You mentioned your resurgence because you seem happier on the field now. Earlier in the season, you didn’t seem as joyful…

**A**: That’s true; I won’t deny it. It was an unusual summer, not comfortable at all. A lot happened that made it difficult to enjoy football.

**Q**: Did you want to leave? Was Real Sociedad looking to sell you?

**A**: There was a lot of talk, but I never wanted to leave; I feel at home in La Real and Donosti. The club didn’t want to sell me either; I have no knowledge of that. There was more external noise than internal issues. The only real offer, as Aperribay mentioned, was an economic one that was hard to refuse, but it never materialized for various reasons. I signed until 2028 and feel secure; thus, I was surprised by all the summer discussions.

**Q**: There was even talk of a possible return to Celta, which is coming up now.

**A**: Many things were rumored, but nothing concrete to share. This upcoming match is crucial; they are eight points ahead, and a loss could set us back further. Winning would narrow the gap to five points, making it significant for our aspirations to reconnect with the European race this season.

**Q**: What do you think is the key to your former team’s resurgence?

**A**: For me, it’s Claudio. Since he arrived, he has radically changed the players’ mentality, uniting the club and the fans. Regardless of who plays, everyone is performing at a high level.