Thiago Alcantara is without a doubt one of the most gifted footballers of his generation. And the Liverpool midfielder has discussed his thoughts about the state of his sport in an interview with The Guardian. Per Spain international Thiago, ‘we see less magic less fantasy’ in modern football.
Thiago came off the bench for Spain’s debut Euro 2020 match in Group E’s scoreless draw against Sweden on Monday.
Now, per our football prediction, Thiago might start for La Roja this evening when they face Poland at La Cartuja.
Thiago on Modern Football
In an interview, before yet another Euro 2020 fixture, Thiago Alcantara discussed the present condition of football as a sport.
“It’s taken up a different pace, rhythm; more accelerated, more physical,” he said, about football in the current situation. “The figure of the number ten has almost disappeared.”
Further, per Thiago “We see less magic, less fantasy.”
However, it’s not all hopeless, because, as he continues: “Footballers do more but faster. There’s no need to dribble because you run. Players are more developed in every sense.”
“You lose that player who’s different, who breathes; the playmaker who was slower even if he had sublime technique doesn’t get the opportunity to turn. Those of us who are not so fast with our legs have to be faster in our heads,” he elaborated. “It’s like anything in life; adaptation. Things keep moving. Football changes constantly expressed differently.”
“It’s something I’ve seen, especially in the national team,” the staple in Spain’s national team said.
“You get young players to arrive who are quick, full of desire, well-prepared, very diligent.”
In contrast, he reminisced about himself as a young player: “When I was 18, I would grab a coffee, sit, chat, and then five minutes before training put my boots on and go out. Now, 30, 45 minutes before, they’re in the gym preparing; mobility, strength work. Things evolve. We didn’t do that because no one explained it to us.”
