Alex Baena’s transfer from Villarreal to Atletico Madrid was hailed as one of the highlights of the summer transfer window, with the Spanish international recognized as one of the top playmakers in La Liga during his tenure at La Ceramica. However, there was a moment when his journey might have taken a different turn.
In an interview with EFE (reported by Marca), Baena disclosed that he contemplated leaving football behind during the 2023-24 season, but support from his family, friends, and a psychologist helped him find the motivation to continue his career.
“After losing the final with the U21s in 2023 and following my first senior national team call-up, I went through a tough personal phase, even considering quitting football altogether. However, with the guidance of a psychologist I’ve been working with for a while, as well as support from my family—my mother and siblings—I managed to overcome those thoughts and that difficult moment. We navigated through it together,” he reflected.
“People often only see the positives: they recognize you on the street and perceive it as a good thing, but they don’t see the struggles behind it. Yes, there are financial benefits and a comfortable life, but they don’t realize the challenges that come with it. Being a constant presence in the spotlight, traveling without your family, and the sacrifices you make in terms of social life and self-care—the glamorous side of football doesn’t depict the reality. Only those close to you understand the pressures involved. While we’re indeed fortunate, there is a difficult side to this life,” he explained.
Baena: “No one has mentioned a desire to settle for third place”
Discussing his initial experience at Atletico, Baena expressed that he and his teammates are determined to compete fiercely and not settle for being behind Barcelona and Real Madrid.
“I’m really enjoying my time here. Many people speak without knowing what goes on inside a dressing room, but things are quite different. The coach, Cholo, engages with me deeply and instills a tremendous intensity—his words are inspiring and make you want to conquer the field. He is one of the best coaches globally, and it’s frustrating to see misinformation circulate in the media. Those in the dressing room have a clearer understanding of what Cholo is truly like,” he said.
“I haven’t heard a single player express a desire to finish third. On the contrary, we’re constantly focused on our ambition to win titles and the necessity to compete for them, even when facing the formidable challenges presented by Barcelona and Real Madrid,” he stated.