This Sunday, Villarreal will challenge Real Madrid away. Former Real Madrid youth training Rafa Marin talked about his feelings about returning to the Bernabeu in an interview with Marca.
The Sevilla player has spent most of his career in Real Madrid's youth training camp. Marin will return to Madrid as one of the best defenders in La Liga after a great performance in the Champions League match against Juventus last week.
Marin began his football career at the Sevilla youth training camp. At the age of 14, he left the familiar environment to join Real Madrid. He spent seven years of youth training here, even though he never played for the first team. After
, he was first loaned to Alaves and then transferred to Naples. During his year in Naples, although there were not many opportunities to play, he grew up physically and mentally under Conte's guidance and enjoyed the joy of winning the league. This season, he shines in Villarreal.
Under Marcellino's leadership, Marin gained more playing time, and as the game progressed, his importance in the team continued to increase. Now, he is back in Madrid as a mature player.
Marin said: "Of course, playing football at the Bernabeu is special for any player, whether it is from his own youth training or other clubs. This is the best club in the world, every game is special, and playing football at the Bernabeu is always exciting and motivating."
This Saturday's game will be the second time Marin has returned to the stadium since leaving in the summer of 2023. His first experience was not pleasant. He lost 0-5 when he represented Alaves at the time. On that day, Vinicius scored a hat trick.
He said: "To be honest, it's always a tough game. You have your own game plan and I believe with Villarreal's tactical philosophy we can do well there. We know it will be a tough, intense and confrontational game because the opponent has some tough and fast players. But we will still stick to our style, keep the pace of the game at a high intensity and play well on both sides of the offense and defense."