Dynamic dribble: Spanish defender Míchel Salgado runs with the ball during an all-star exhibition match between the Iraqi team and international legends on Sept. 9, 2017 in Basra.
(AFP/HAIDAR MOHAMMED ALI)
“Asian football fans are special, always,” the legendary Spanish soccer player said in Jakarta, during his visit to promote the International Youth Championship 2021 in Indonesia.
Soccer aficionados might still remember how Real Madrid reigned in Europe in the early millennium, when it grabbed consecutive UEFA Champions League titles in 2000 and 2002. One of the most notable players who helped the squad triumph then was its right back, Míchel Salgado.
Though he retired as a professional player a decade ago, Salgado has continued to contribute to the game in other roles. Most recently, the 46-year-old visited Jakarta to promote this year’s International Youth Championship (IYC), a friendly club tournament for male players under the age of 20 (U-20) that was held from April 13 to 19.
“I am used to the hassle with flight and time zone change. It doesn’t affect me,” Salgado said. “In the end, when you arrive in Indonesia, all the things related to traveling and jet lag mean nothing because you feel the love of the people.”
Below is an excerpt from his interview with The Jakarta Post on April 18, when he spoke about this new chapter in his career and about his former club.
Active retirement: Former Real Madrid and Spain’s national team player Michel Salgado promotes the International Youth Championship 2021, held in Indonesia on April 13-19, 2022. (JP/Wulan Kusuma Wardhani) (JP/Wulan Kusuma Wardhani)
JP: Why were you interested in helping to organize the IYC? You were also present at the same tournament in 2019.