Casado talks Flick, De Jong, Spain NT, captaincy, future – ‘Want to spend my entire career at Barcelona’ | OneFootball

The ongoing season has been special for Barcelona in many ways and will leave a mark on the careers of almost all players involved.

After all, it has seen the rise of several formerly fringe players who have stepped up and taken responsibility when asked of it. Marc Casado is one such young star.

The youngster did not have a prominent role last season under Xavi Hernandez but became a mainstay under Hansi Flick this term.

While recent weeks have seen him mildly fall in prominence, he has been an ever-reliable option for the manager.

Speaking to the media in a recent interview, the Barcelona phenom opened up on a number of topics including Barcelona’s season so far, the ambitions going ahead and his role in the current setup.

He first began, however, by speaking on his recent call-up to the Spanish national team which is his second time being called up with La Roja.

“Being called up to the national team is always something special and it’s every footballer’s dream when they start playing, and now I have to face it with enthusiasm,” said Casado.

“In the previous call-up, I didn’t know my teammates, but now it’s different and I will face it with the same enthusiasm and desire to perform well,” he added.

On Barcelona’s difficult fixture list

Casado was then asked to speak his heart out about the recent week that passed, starting from the devastating loss of Dr Carles Minarro and then the big win over Benfica.

“Yes, it’s been a complicated week because of the loss of the doctor, and we’re still grieving,” he stated.

“It was a big loss, but as the coach said, the best thing we can do now is perform well and win titles for him and his family, and I think the team has the motivation to do that,” he added.

Casado has been named in the Spain squad. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

The midfielder then looked forward to Barcelona’s upcoming UEFA Champions League quarterfinal tie against Borussia Dortmund who the Catalans beat after a nervy game in the league phase.

“It will be a very difficult match. After all, we are in the Champions League quarter-finals, and there are no easy opponents. Borussia Dortmund are performing brilliantly in the tournament, and our match there was complicated,” Casado noted.

“But I believe the team has the confidence and ambition to do beautiful things, and we are calm and ready for this challenge,” he added.

Sticking to the more short-term future, he gave his two cents on the upcoming clash against Atletico Madrid this weekend and what he expects on the night, saying:

“It will definitely be a difficult match, as it always is when you go to play at Atletico Madrid’s stadium.

“Obviously, the extra time they played will affect them physically and perhaps mentally after their loss, but we know how they are, we know that they never give up, and it will be a difficult match, as expected.”

Casado is proud of the team’s performance

The La Masia star was then asked if he was surprised by how Barcelona are currently strong favourites on all fronts that they are competing on, to which he said:

“Why not? In the end, we are Barcelona and we always aspire to everything and we must fight for everything.”

“This season, we are doing well, we are still in the competition for all titles, we are at the top of the league, and we are fighting in other tournaments,” he added.

Elaborating on what made the team special this season and particularly difficult to beat, he said:

“I think the team is performing brilliantly this season. Now we’re approaching the most important stage where everything is decided, and I think the team has the confidence to face that.”

Casado also praised manager Hansi Flick for all that he brings to the table and how he keeps the core fresh and motivated at all times.

“Flick is someone who is very close to us as players. He talks to all of us and likes to be in direct contact with us, and I think that gives us a lot of confidence,” said the youngster.

“The dressing room is very united, and we help each other a lot, and that is reflected in the matches,” he added.

Casado’s role has diminished a bit in recent weeks. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Casado is strong despite his reduced minutes

The ongoing season is a special one for Casado as it is this term that he became a regular for the senior Barcelona team and the Spanish national team.

“I knew this year would be important for me, as it represented a stepping stone to the first team. I believe I’ve been able to perform well thanks to the confidence of the coach and my teammates,” he exclaimed.

“As I said, the numbers are good, but my goal now is to finish the season winning titles,” he added.

Concurrently, however, recent weeks have been complicated for the defensive midfielder with Frenkie de Jong taking his starting position, especially on the big nights.

“Ultimately, I’m a young player, and this is my first season in the elite. Frenkie is a fantastic player and he’s been performing amazingly this season,” Casado said when asked about the same.

“But I’m calm, I’m confident, and I’ll keep working hard to regain my place,” he added.

The youngster also elaborated on his relationship with Frenkie de Jong and how the competitions did not create any internal rifts, saying:

“My relationship with Frenkie is excellent. He’s a great person and a great professional. It’s normal that he plays more than me now, but we get along great.”

“At La Masia, they teach us how to compete in a healthy way, and I think that helps the team a lot,” he added.

Exemplifying his respect for the captain, Casado praised the Dutchman and elaborated on his desire to fight it out with the more established star.

“Frenkie does an incredibly good job, he’s a great guy,” said Casado.

“At La Masia, they teach us healthy competition. I trust myself and I’m waiting for the opportunity to secure a place in the starting lineup,” he added.

On his growth from the lower ranks

Towards the end of his interview, Casado looked back and remembered his La Masia days and the important lessons they taught at the academy.

“At La Masia, they teach you how to play as a team, and from a young age, all teams play the same way.”

“We create a specific idea and identity for this club, and we also learn the values of competition and teamwork,” he added.

He also spoke about how it has now become normal for teenagers to debut and become regulars in the first team and how it was hard for him to see players younger than him succeed.

Casado wants to spend his entire career at Barça. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

“Now, it seems that if you don’t play for the first team at 17, you won’t make it, but I spent a lot of time in the youth teams and learned a lot,” he said.

Continuing, he added: “I played for two years with Rafa Marquez in the reserve team, and that helped me grow as a player and as a person.”

“He taught me a lot, not only as a player but also as a person. He taught me everything, and I remember him making me practice passing after practice because he was so good at it,” he pointed out, regarding the role of Rafa Marquez.

On how he got through the tough times with patience and waited for his chance, he said:

“It was a difficult period because I saw my dream so close, but it hadn’t come true yet. However, I learned a lot from that experience; it made me mature and more prepared.”

Finally, Casado reaffirmed his desire to stay in Barcelona for the rest of his career.

“I hope so. I want to spend my entire career at Barcelona and retire here. It’s my dream, it’s the club I love,” said the La Masia graduate.

“I hope so. As I said, my goal is to stay here as long as possible and finish my career at Barcelona,” he added when asked if he saw himself as a future captain.

Source: Beteve