Achraf: “My intention was always to play at my boyhood club, Real Madrid”

NEWS | 15/12/2017

The defender was the star of the latest episode of ‘Campo de estrellas’ on Realmadrid TV.

Achraf was the latest player to appear on Real Madrid TV's Campo de estrellas program. The defender looked back over his time at the Whites and his journey to the first team: “There was a lot of talk about a loan spell at Alavés, but my intention was always to stay with my boyhood club, which is Real Madrid, and I've come through all the ranks here. I spent pre-season with the first team, I just focussed on my work. The coach gave me the chance to play against Manchester United. Then Zidane came to me before the last match with the MLS and told me I'd be playing from the start and that if were up to him, I'd be staying”.

“Winning the Spanish and European Super Cups is something I never even imagined. I'm thrilled to have been able to achieve it. I hope they're the first of many more titles to come. I want to win LaLiga and the Champions League as well”.

Zidane and the Champions League
“Zidane has been a great example for me. First, back when he was playing, and then how he's gone on to advise me. I learn so much from him now as a coach. The Champions League is the competition everyone dreams of playing in. My debut came in the game against Tottenham and it was a once-in-a-lifetime moment”.

Debut
“The first time I was in the squad was the second leg of the Copa tie against Celta. I was called up after playing with Castilla and I'll never forget that first trip with them. I was used to watching them on TV and now I was sitting next to them and I even got to train alongside them. Before I made my debut against Espanyol I was sitting at home with my brother. The coach called and told me Carvajal was out and I had to play, but to stay calm. I wasn't nervous until the day of the game”.

I HOPE ONE DAY I CAN BE REAL MADRID'S NUMBER ONE RIGHT-BACK.

“Carvajal is a role model for me, he came through the youth system just like I did. I pay close attention to how he trains and how he plays. Now I'm just concentrating on improving, learning and I hope one day I can be Real Madrid's number one right back”.

First pre-season
“I was on holiday and the sporting director called to say he was impressed with how I'd performed that season and he wanted to reward me by taking me on pre-season with the first team. I couldn't believe it, I was so happy. In my first game, the guys who had come from Castilla all played from the start. I was a bit nervous at first because I wasn't playing in my normal position, but I was happy to be there. I played at left-back like I do for the national team”.

Beginnings
"I've got good memories with loads of teammates that I'll never forget. We were always mucking about. When I was younger I played as a striker. The coach played me as a winger in one game and I did a good job, then I tried as a full-back and here we are. Óscar Rodríguez has been a good friend of mine all through the Real Madrid youth system. We've grown up together, moving through the ranks. I jumped up from the Under-17s to the Under-19s".

Castilla
“Castilla is hugely important because it's a bit more professional and it allows you to make a living doing what you love. I'll never forget the first game, it was against Real Sociedad at home. We were trailing early on but we turned it around in injury time. I'll also always remember my first goal, the only one I scored for Castilla. I was registered for the Under-19s and I dropped back down to play the Youth League and the Copa del Rey”.

Achraf Defender