We catch up with Sergio Guardiola about his journey from Spain's fourth tier Tercera to leading the line in the LaLiga, his career hopes - and of course, we ask the striker about playing for his idol Ronaldo - the president of Real Valladolid.
Q: What does it mean to you to play in the best league in the world?
A: Well, it's a dream for me. It's true that I have not been here for a long time, I just came to LaLiga. But as you say, it's the best league in the world. Everybody dreams as a kid of playing in the top-flight someday, and as I told you, I am living the dream.
Q: Who's the defender you've had the most difficulty playing against?
A: The defender that made it toughest for me was Sergio Ramos. He is a strong guy that knows how to be in the right place at the right time. He has a great presence.
Q: And the toughest keeper you've faced?
A: I would say Jan Oblak. When we played Atleti last season at the Wanda Metropolitano it seemed absolutely impossible to score against him from outside the box.
Q: When we talk about you we talk about a player that's had to work hard, to play for many teams before reaching the LaLiga top flight. How hard has it been to reach where you are now?
A: As you say I've played for many different teams before here and I can't remember exactly but 3-4 years ago I was playing in the third tier. I've been through every division from the fourth upwards: Tercera, Segunda B, LaLiga SmartBank and now LaLiga Santander. I've dropped out of the professional divisions twice. I signed with Alcorcon when they were in Segunda B, then I headed to Granada and we were relegated to Segunda B.
Then I went to Australia and by December I was back in Segunda B with Real Murcia. But, you know, I'm very happy because I've fought hard to be where I am now. It was a constant battle. I don't think anyone ever gave me anything on a plate and that's something to be proud of. I can say I'm where I am thanks to my own merit, nobody ever gave me anything.
Q: Who was your idol growing up?
A: Ronaldo Nazario.
Q: The Real Valladolid President?
A: Yes, the President, our President!
Q: Sergio González, your coach… what can you tell me about him?
A: Well, for us he is our boss, the one we all look up to at Real Valladolid. A real football man who was a player too. He knows what footballers need and want. He gives us confidence in every sense. Honestly, he's one of the best coaches I've ever had and he's made me feel very comfortable here. That's something I have to thank him for, because it makes everything easier.
Q: And what have you learnt from him?
A: I've learnt how to take risks, how to have enough personality to keep and go looking for the ball. It's something I already had inside me but he reinforced it. He gave me the confidence to think: "it doesn't matter if you lose the ball, you just need to keep on asking for the ball because if it doesn't work out for the first time, it will the third or fourth."
Q: Looking at today's Real Valladolid side, what do you make of your start to the season?
A: I think it's been very good. We began the season tremendously. We'd have liked a bit more of a pre-season but we've improved every week. When it comes to the physical side of things Sergio is a great coach and we started really well. We picked up points against both Atletico de Madrid and Real Madrid, something that's really difficult to do, as you know. For me we've made a spectacular start and we hope to continue in that same vein.
Q: Do you have any dreams or personal goals you'd like to achieve?
A: My dream is to be called up someday by the Spanish National Team. Also to play in European competitions like the Europa League or the Champions League. That's the top aim for any footballer.
