File picture of Fernando Hierro during his playing days with Real Madrid. The Spaniard has also played for Al Rayyan in the Qatar Stars League for a season.
By Sports Reporter/Doha
For former Real Madrid and Al Rayyan captain Fernando Hierro, the passion for his former teams has not abated over the years – he still follows them as closely as if he were pulling over the white jersey or the Lions’ red shirt to this day.
“Every weekend I go and find Al Rayyan’s results on the Internet,” Hierro admitted with a laugh in an exclusive interview with www.sc.qa.
He added: “Last year was difficult for Al Rayyan but this year they are playing at an extraordinary level with great players. Al Rayyan is historic and possibly the team with the most fans in Qatar. There have been great players over the years and now there is Sergio Garcia there, and it is important that Al Rayyan are going for the title with the fans that they have. Al Sadd and Lekhwiya are fantastic teams and it is great for the league to have such strong competition at the top. Al Rayyan have a big chance to be Qatar Stars League champions this year, with the way they have been playing and the margins with which they have won games.”
The legendary defender who helped Real Madrid to three European Champions League titles in a trophy-filled stretch at the capital club said his experience in Qatar was an unforgettable one: “For me it was a fantastic experience, even though it was only one year, because of the new culture, the warmth of the people, they did everything to make me comfortable. After 12 years I still keep in touch with my colleagues regularly. We were happy to put Qatar in the focus, and it was a great decision for them to put Qatar on the map.”
Hierro added that he was looking forward to attending a match at his former club’s stadium which is now under renovation for the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar: “It is a great satisfaction to have a new stadium for the World Cup. As a former player it was an honour to be invited for and to give a video message at the presentation of Al Rayyan Stadium. I would love to be back in the stadium when the tournament begins in 2022. The new stadium will be fantastic for the club, for the country, for the World Cup, and I am proud of it.”
After being capped 89 times and representing his country at four World Cup finals, the former Spain international said the current generation of players was up to the standard of La Furia Roja’s championship winning side.
“This Spain team is extraordinary,” Hierro said. “The qualification is not easy. After winning two Euros and one World Cup, the tournament in Brazil was not as expected, but we have players of the highest quality. Of course, there were some players of eminence who retired, however I think generational change is assured and coach Vicente Del Bosque is very experienced in bringing this about. I am sure Spain will compete to be European champions again. It will be important to reach France in good physical condition after a long season.”
Looking forward to the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar, Hierro said a tournament in the middle of the season would mean improved performances on the pitch.
“Players will reach Qatar 2022 in an extraordinary physical condition, and the temperature in November and December will be fantastic for players to feel comfortable and play good football. I am sure Qatar will put on a great World Cup, that people will have a good time, as it is a place where they have a big passion for sport and for football in particular. Hopefully Spain can win their second title in Qatar, because of the new generation we are developing, and for this World Cup Spain will arrive with a great team of the highest level.”
Qatar’s team for the tournament is also in safe hands, according to Hierro, who highlighted the vast experience which Spanish players are bringing to the country.
“It started with Guardiola and myself, then other people like Chico Flores, Raúl, and now Xavi; they have a big affection for Spanish football in Qatar. There are many Real Madrid and Barcelona fans there. I think it is positive that people like Raúl or Xavi go to Qatar and bring in all of their experience, in Aspire Academy as well, for youth development. One has the embedded football culture of Real Madrid, and the other of Barcelona. Xavi is someone who represents fantastic football, and he loves the game. I am sure that he will help a lot to get Qatar to the World Cup in the best level possible.”
Hierro added that his former team could still turn around their La Liga fortunes despite losing El Clásico by 4-0 in Madrid last month: “Of course a result of losing by such a big margin at home hurts, and people are not comfortable with that, but if there is a team in the world you can never write off in the world it is Real Madrid. We will attempt until the last moment to win titles. We have extraordinary players.”
“The league is very long. Madrid can be a very dangerous team in the Champions League and I think they will fight until the last moment to win the league as well. Rafa Benítez is a coach with a lot of experience, he has shown his worth in the English and Italian leagues and knows our club very well having coached the youth sides. He has everything necessary to deal with this challenge.”
From a remarkable career with the Merengues in Madrid, Hierro concluded that there was one trophy in particular which always remained in his mind: “Of all my trophies the most special one was winning the Champions League in 1997-98 against Juventus – the seventh European title was a turning point for Madrid after failure to win the European crown for 32 years. Those were five extraordinary years we had in the Champions League – winning it three times and reaching the semi-finals twice. But if I had to choose just one from those wonderful years in Madrid I would choose La Séptima. It was an unforgettable moment, for what it meant for our club, our fans, and to be champions of Europe once more.”
