Marc Roca: "I should have had the surgery sooner; when the doctor opened me up, he was shocked."

BarcelonaHe started studying economics, but he didn't like it. Now, at 29, Marc Roca (Vilafranca del Penedès, 1996) doesn't yet have a plan B other than football. But he prefers not to think about it because he wants to make the most of his professional career now that the physical pain has finally disappeared from his routine. After four very tough years due to a left ankle injury, the Catalan midfielder has become a key player for Manuel Pellegrini's Betis, one of the most exciting teams in La Liga. He had to undergo surgery and start over after seven months without playing. This Saturday (6:30 p.m., Movistar LaLiga) he will try to neutralize Hansi Flick's Barça. And of course, as a lifelong Espanyol fan, he will be even more motivated.

Thank you very much for speaking to ARA, Marcos. How are you feeling?

— I feel great, so happy to be back playing at this level. The last four years have been really tough because I've been in so much pain. I wanted to play, but I felt held back. Last season was even harder because I'd had enough. I was taking the field with ankle pain, going to training in pain, limping, playing with anti-inflammatories... I just couldn't take it anymore, so I decided to have surgery. Luckily, everything went well. I'm enjoying myself on the field again, which is what I love most and what gives meaning to so many hours of my life. Now I'm playing without injections and I can train normally.

Why did it take you so long to have the surgery?

— I avoided surgery with every conservative method, but in the end it was unavoidable. Looking back, I wish I had had the surgery sooner. But I see it as a learning experience, a testament to my resilience.

What exactly have they done to you?

— They tightened my deltoid ligament, but more importantly, they removed a calcification, a piece of bone that was pinching and causing pain on the inside of my left ankle. The doctor who removed it was amazed and asked me how I could possibly be playing around with that. He showed it to me, and it was truly astonishing. Without that lump, I have much more freedom of movement and feel so much better.

How many years have you had this type of foreign body?

— I had ankle problems when I played for Espanyol. I had to push myself too hard when I was very young. I played when I couldn't. I didn't know how to say no. Because of sporting circumstances [the relegation battle against COVID, which ultimately didn't happen], they even gave me anesthetic injections before I went onto the pitch. It was a bad decision on my part and everyone else's. I've been dealing with it ever since.

In the last four years, you've been off work 330 days because of your ankle. And even more days playing like nothing was wrong when you were actually in pain. You ended up with a split head.

— Yes, it's very frustrating. Because you want it, you want it, you want it, but your body tells you it's not possible, that you can't go on. In these last seven months, I had days when I thought about giving it up and retiring. I was in a lot of pain, I was limping, I went to training limping... In those moments, your mind imagines the worst.

Have you sought help from mental health professionals during this time?

— Yes, I've been working with a couple of mentors. Mental training is crucial because we're so exposed to outside comments. Everyone knows about football, and you have to shield yourself and focus on what only you can control. Mental training is also necessary when you're experiencing physical pain that drains your energy, makes you lose motivation, and affects your mood. When you're like that, derogatory comments hurt even more. People were disrespectful to me because I was injured and didn't know what I was going through. My biggest wish was to get well!

Just this week we saw that Ronald Araujo has requested leave for mental health reasons.

— He has my full support. I hope he recovers well. He's a fellow professional, and I know he's going through a very difficult time. These are tough moments when you can have negative thoughts. He's been subjected to unnecessary disrespect. He's the captain of his team, and that's his first priority.

Where is the limit for comments on social media?

— Some of it is intolerable. I can accept criticism when I've played badly or haven't been on target, but insulting or attacking someone's family... It's very easy to hide behind a screen and write an insulting comment. If you don't show your face, it's too easy. If you want to say something, show your face, say who you are, show your ID.

How do you use social media?

— Luckily, I don't go on there much. I try to stay out of it. Negative comments can make you doubt yourself, and positive ones can make you feel arrogant. We shouldn't care as much about external opinions.

How's life treating you in Seville?

— My day-to-day life, with so many matches, consists of training, taking care of myself, seeing the physiotherapist, spending time at home with my partner... Occasionally I do go out to the city center for a walk around the Giralda, the Torre del Oro...

And what about the food?

— I'm very careful about my diet. I like to indulge myself occasionally, but I always avoid overdoing it with carbohydrates and red meat, and I try to eat fish. tapas Sometimes it's not easy [laughs]!

Who do you get along with best on the Betis squad? You Catalans are such softies!

— If I had to choose a teammate, I'd pick Marc Bartra. He's helped me a lot from the very beginning. We share many values in life. He's been a great discovery for me. He's a great friend. He's explained to me what Betis is all about: a club with deep emotions, one that captivates you and is filling La Cartuja with 60,000 people every match...

Betis, who just won a derby and have a fierce city rivalry with Sevilla, much like Barça with Espanyol. How's your Espanyol heart doing?

— I'm 100% committed to it. I'll be a Perico (Espanyol fan) for life. It's the team that saw me grow up, that saw me make my debut in La Liga, that helped me become the person I am today... I played again in Cornellà this season for the first time since I left, and it was very emotional. I thanked my people. I hope I can return to Espanyol someday.

Would you play for Barça if they came looking for you?

— Never. Ruled out.

So you understand why Espanyol fans feel betrayed by Joan Garcia?

— Yes, I understand them. If you've been to Espanyol, you know what the club means. But at the same time, I can also understand Juan. I don't agree with him, but I understand him.

Last year Barça didn't win a single league match against Betis. Do you know how to hurt them?

— Everyone knows how to hurt Barça, but knowing how is one thing, actually doing it is another. It's true they have a very advanced defense, but they also have a lot of talent to hurt you.

Which Barça player would you leave in Barcelona?

— None. I want everyone to come at 100%.

Let me ask the question another way. Which player would you sign for your team?

— It's a complicated question. There are two or three players who make a real difference. But if I have to pick one, I'd say Pedri. Barça with him is something else entirely. He's the best midfielder in the world.

And what do you think of Lamine Yamal? Do you understand how, at only 18 years old, he can inflame the rival's passions so much?

— He has a lot of personality and talent that often seems almost human. Sometimes he can drive his opponents crazy, and I understand that, but everyone is who they are.

For those who don't know much about Betis, what are their dangers?

— We'll all be highly motivated against Barça. Pablo Fornals is in great form, having a fantastic season. Everyone knows Antony, he's incredibly talented. And Cucho Hernández is a game-changer. But honestly, we have a really good squad: it's hard for me to single out just one teammate.