Lucas Vazquez talks Mbappe, Vinicius, Ronaldo, Alonso, Real Madrid, Negreira case | OneFootball

Real Madrid bid goodbye to one of their homegrown stars and club icons, Lucas Vazquez, last summer, with the defender moving to Bayer Leverkusen after his contract expired.

The veteran Spaniard was not always a regular starter in the team but made valuable contributions throughout his time at the club.

Currently enjoying his time in Germany, the right-back sat down for an interview with AS, during which he discussed various things Real Madrid, including his departure.

“I’ve largely accepted this for a long time. I was completely ready to take this step. But I still watch all of Real Madrid’s matches, and I’m still in touch with many of my former teammates.”

“Of course, I’ll always be grateful. I’m just another Real Madrid fan, nothing more. But my conscience is at ease knowing that I did everything I could for the club, for the fans, and for everyone who supported us at Real Madrid,” he added.

The player was then quizzed on whether he regretted leaving Real Madrid now that the team is struggling with injuries at right-back and how he would have had a chance.

“But that’s the nature of injuries and they’ve faced bad luck with injuries at this point in the season. But they’ll give their best in the second half of the season, and they’ll show how great they are.”

Vazquez also revealed that his current teammates ask him about Real Madrid, saying,

“Yes, absolutely! Well, from the outside, everyone looks at Real Madrid as the biggest club in the world. So it’s natural that they ask you about a particular match they remember.”

“But more importantly than all that, as I said, from the outside, Real Madrid seems much bigger than what we felt when we were there.”

Finally, he wound up the topic of his present by speaking on Xabi Alonso and the manager’s history with Bayer Leverkusen.

“Xabi is a legend at Bayer Leverkusen. What he’s achieved with them is incredible; he’s part of their history. And of course, we’re talking about what’s happening at Real Madrid and so on.”

“But football followers also realise that these are just phases, like the period of many changes at Real Madrid, where we need to exercise patience and trust in our outstanding players and coach,” he added.

On the current team

Given how Real Madrid’s season has been going so far, Vazquez was asked how he saw the team’s season ending.

“Yes. This has happened many times throughout Real Madrid’s history. Everyone wants to write them off or talk about a season where they won’t win any titles.”

“But in the end, we’re in December, and Real Madrid is still capable of everything. As I said before, we need to be patient and see how things go in the latter part of the season,” he added.

Vazquez believes this Real Madrid team can win titles despite hurdles. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

The legend then showered praise on Kylian Mbappe for his adaptation and stunning start to the season, hinting that he could even reach Ronaldo’s impact.

“Yes, I think so. Kylian has the football talent and mental ability to do anything. He is the only one who determines his limits. We hope to enjoy his presence for many years. I think he spent many years in Paris, in his homeland, and every change is difficult.”

“Last season, his first season, was tough but he won the Golden Boot. This is a commendable achievement. He is at a much higher level, not only in terms of goals, but also in his overall performance,” he added.

“The entire team must benefit from this. He is a special player, of course. A person who has achieved a very successful ride with Real Madrid for many years. Together, I think they are capable of achieving great things for our club,” he noted.

Speaking on Vinicius Jr. and what he made of the Brazilian’s importance in the team, Vazquez said,

“Vini is big enough to know what he has to do. But look, Vini during my career, he is one of the best people I have ever met. And I have to say that, and I want everyone to know it.”

“Vini has a big heart, and I think his character matches his soccer performance. He is like a hurricane on the field, tireless, always chasing his opponent, face to face; always trying to break through the defences.”

“Well, maybe he is someone who likes to be important, that responsibility that comes with being a player at Real Madrid, and well, sometimes he makes mistakes, just like we all do. But we have to respect him and love him too for what he is,” he concluded.

The former player then stated that he saw Real Madrid capable of winning titles this season.

“I think so, in fact, I really think so. Real Madrid is fully capable of winning titles this season. And I think they will. I’m sure of that.”

The topic of conversation then drifted to Xabi Alonso and rumours of his firing already doing the rounds.

“This always happens, it’s not a new thing,” Vazquez began. “I think he will [implement his ideas]. I think he will deliver a fantastic season this year, and he will play a pivotal role at Real Madrid.”

“He deserves it; he has proven at Bayer Leverkusen that he is a great coach, and he will do the same at Real Madrid,” he added.

On the Negreira scandal

The player then opened up on the Negreira scandal, Barcelona’s involvement and what he made of it all.

“This isn’t normal, it isn’t normal. I mentioned that recently in another interview. I think the matter is bigger than just the media hype surrounding it. It’s hard to explain how a club pays a bribe to one of the referees.”

“I believe that justice will be served sooner or later. But yes, of course, what happened is something that shouldn’t happen in football. The matter isn’t about fair play or anything like that. It’s more serious than it seems,” he added.

“And perhaps you’re somewhat right in that everything may have also affected their winning of other titles as well,” he concluded on Barcelona.

He then called it unacceptable for a club to have transactions with a member of the Referees committee.

“Yes, I think everything has its time. Little by little, the truth unfolds, and we see what happened during these years.”

“It’s something that must be taken into consideration, and those responsible punished… or we’ll see what the judiciary decides. But, of course, this is not normal. It’s not normal,” he added.

On his transition to a defender

Vazquez credited Zidane for his move to right-back. (Photo by Pablo Cuadra/Getty Images for EA SPORTS FC™ 25)

While Vazquez is best known for his time at right-back at Real Madrid, he was initially a winger who later made the switch to a defensive role. Speaking on that transition, he said,

“In the beginning, Zidane was the first one to involve me in the right-back position. I remember talking to him about it.”

“He was going to put me there because of the team’s circumstances, or injuries, or anything else, and at first I didn’t want to, I told him I didn’t like this position,”he added.

The player then revealed that he soon began enjoying the new role.

“But after playing a few matches, getting used to it, and starting to enjoy it a bit, I can tell you that I enjoyed playing as a right-back for Real Madrid just as much as I enjoyed playing as a winger.”

“Then with Ancelotti during the seasons I spent there, I also enjoyed playing as a right-back. Because, well, at Real Madrid, when you play as a right-back, you’re practically a winger, except that you’re forced to drop back a bit (laughs),” he added.

Vazquez then weighed in on what an important player Cristiano Ronaldo was and what his departure meant for the club.

“What can I say about Cristiano! He was a pivotal player throughout his career, the greatest player in Real Madrid’s history. His departure would be noticeable in any team, and in our case, it was crucial because we were going to lose 60 goals he scored annually.”

“But Real Madrid always overcomes difficulties, always comes back to win, and we recovered. We are very grateful to Cristiano for everything he gave to Real Madrid,” he added.

Finally, he spoke on the importance of full-backs in Real Madrid’s system.

“But Real Madrid is a dominant team that always seeks to attack, and that’s why Real Madrid’s full-backs are usually good attackers as well. Marcelo, Roberto Carlos—they’re players with an attacking mindset.”

At the end of his interview, the club legend spoke out on the tifo Real Madrid fans put up in his honour in a game earlier this season and what it meant to him.

“Amazing, amazing. I was deeply moved by seeing that wonderful banner. A picture of a boy who dreamed of playing for Real Madrid one day, and as I said, I am so grateful to the club, to the fans, and to everyone who contributed to making that happen.”

“For me, it was something beautiful and extremely touching. And something I will remember forever. Forever.”