Guido Rodríguez' 'homecoming' | OneFootball

Guido Rodríguez is a familiar face to Valencianistas after his loan spell last season, but after his signing on a full-time deal, the Argentine revealed more about himself to VCF Media.

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Continuing at Valencia CF

I'm really happy to be back here, to be with the team again, to be training. I'm happy to be back in Valencia. I’ve come from Argentina, and it was cold there; I was longing for a bit more sun and warmer temperatures, so I'm enjoying it here. We train early and then have another session again later when the heat eases up a bit. I was eager to continue the excitement I felt in my loan spell, and continue here. The club valued me a lot, and that was also very important for me: To be in a place where I'm wanted, where I wanted to be, and to enjoy it.

Hopefully, we can have a great project this year: The players, the club, and the fans all together. I think that's the most important thing; it's the last year at Mestalla this season. And I think we have to be more united than ever to enjoy this time together and say goodbye to that great stadium as it deserves.

Returning 'home'

"When we came back from England and landed in Valencia, when we were living here with my wife, we felt like we were coming home. We really felt like Spain was our second home. We were very comfortable here in Valencia. My wife is delighted to be here, and my youngest daughter, the two-year-old, was already at school here and very happy with the city, so we really enjoyed those months earlier this year. We try to live life a little, beyond sport and our job, which is very important and very demanding, requiring a lot of responsibility towards all the fans in Valencia. We've also tried to disconnect a bit sometimes and enjoy the city, enjoy the human side that we players have. My family is very important to me and they were very comfortable here, so that obviously influenced the decision.

Responsibility

“I like to take responsibility for the things I'm involved in. Everything always starts with yourself, and then it's passed on to others. I can't demand that someone else do something if I don't do it myself first. I like to take charge in difficult times, and I think the whole team took charge during those tough moments, and we stepped up and were able to win games again and finish the season comfortably. Everyone's high standards will make us better.”

His hobbies

“I enjoy having Argentinian barbecues and being able to show the people at the club a bit of Argentine culture through the camaraderie and everything that's shared while doing it. I also like mate tea; I try to moderate my consumption, and I drink it more during vacations. I'm very passionate about football. Years ago, I also learned how to switch off from the sport when I get home. I spend a lot of time with my wife and my two-year-old daughter. I have another daughter, who is 13, who lives in Argentina, and I'm very involved with her upbringing too. I spent the holidays with her. I also like to read books; right now I'm reading 'Conversations with God.' Since my youngest daughter was born, it's been difficult to find time to watch TV series. The last one I watched was the Rafa Nadal documentary series.”

Nou Mestalla

“It’s a special, bittersweet feeling to be moving on from Mestalla. It’s a legendary stadium in Spain, one I used to see as a kid in Argentina, watching Argentinian players who played for Valencia CF. But in order to move forward, you have to do things, and that’s what the club are doing with the Nou Mestalla. It looks fantastic, and it makes me want to play there. We all have to work hard together and enjoy this last year at Mestalla, and also enjoy what’s to come at the Nou Mestalla.”