Álvaro Odriozola Reflects on His Football Journey and Upcoming Challenges

omidbasir- Álvaro Odriozola is delighted to have regained his impressive form in recent matches, contributing significantly to Real Sociedad’s victories after enduring a prolonged period plagued by injuries.

During a recent press conference, the first question addressed his feelings about enjoying football again after a long absence. He stated, “Yes, I am very happy. It has been a struggle, but I am once again able to enjoy myself on the pitch and express who I truly am. I feel immense pride in reaching this point; it has been quite challenging. I won’t say I am a new Álvaro, as I’ve always been here, but I do like this version of myself, running along the Anoeta pitch in front of my supporters. I hope it continues this way! I couldn’t be happier, and I believe the best is yet to come.”

When asked if he has figured out the reasons behind his struggles over the years, Odriozola replied, “Sometimes things don’t go as one hopes. During this time, I have practiced stoicism; what happens is what is meant to happen, not necessarily what you want. You must focus on what you can control, not what is in the hands of others. I faced some physical issues in the past, but this summer marked a turning point due to certain circumstances. Despite being a professional, I took an extra step—eliminating gluten from my diet has made me feel better. I have been among the few who trained every day. I might not be a new Álvaro, but I am the Álvaro Odriozola everyone knows.”

The San Sebastián native emphasized that he never considered giving up, no matter how difficult the journey became. “I will never throw in the towel. I would like to highlight someone who has helped me immensely. Many psychologists have come and gone, but we now have the best—Imanol Ibarrondo. I take my hat off to him; he is the best in what he does. I call him the ‘windshield wiper’; when negative thoughts cloud your mind, he clears away the mess and helps you believe in yourself.”

Odriozola recently fulfilled a dream when his daughters watched him play live for the first time. “I got goosebumps because Sunday was the first time my daughters saw me play at Anoeta, and I felt a sense of pride. I would have loved to score a goal and not concede a penalty, but it is what it is. There are moments when no one believes in you, but you must believe in yourself. Am I ready to start in San Mamés? Absolutely, even though I haven’t played from the start in a long time.”

The number 20 of the txuriurdin squad also commented on his coach, who has integrated well into the locker room. “I don’t know what it is about us San Sebastián natives and New Jersey, but we also have something special with Bruce Springsteen. Our coach has settled in well. He is a very intelligent person, worldly, and easy to talk to about many topics. He has that American flair but also the Italian sense of humor, and he is a good coach, as we can see. People talk about luck, but for me, luck does not exist; it is about knowing what is best for the team at any moment and having numerous solutions. Moreover, he is greatly engaging with the Basque community. Let’s keep dancing to Rino’s rock and roll and win on Sunday!”

When asked about the moment the club assigned his number 2 jersey to another teammate, leaving him without a number, Odriozola said, “I handled everything that happened during those months as best as I could, understanding the situation. I am very self-critical and put myself in the shoes of others. If I were Bretos, Aperribay, or a fan, I would have made the same decision. From that point on, I dedicated my life to enjoying these last matches and spending time with my family, friends, and teammates, and I want to continue doing so.”

Discussion then turned to the upcoming derby at San Mamés. Is Real Sociedad favored due to their current form compared to Athletic’s struggles? “We don’t think for a second about being favorites or not, especially in a derby where both teams’ current form doesn’t matter, regardless of injuries. This is probably the most special match of the year for us, but we must treat it like any other game. We approach every match as if it were our last, and we need to go out and win, especially since this is, in my opinion, the most beautiful derby in the world. It would be great to win and continue this positive streak we are currently experiencing.”

Odriozola has played alongside football legends like Benzema, Modric, Kroos, Vinicius, Muller, Neuer, Lewandowski, and now Oyarzabal. He praised his teammate’s recent performance, saying, “Mikel is at an absolute elite level, a world-class talent. It is a luxury to have him at Real Sociedad. Everyone knows how he performs on the field, but if I were to talk about Mikel as a person, I would take my hat off to him. The way he lives his profession, how he carries himself, and how he supports his teammates, especially the younger players, showcases the coach within him. The way he embodies the values of Gipuzkoa, the club’s crest, and lifts us all up is something to be grateful for. It is a privilege to play alongside him.”