Jordi Bargalló: "When I play on a hot court that puts pressure on me, that's when I enjoy it the most."

Jordi Bargalló (Sant Sadurní d'Anoia, 1979) enters the Ateneo pavilion greeting everyone. A child cries for having been welcomed back to training. "Put some water on and get back on the court, you'll see how quickly the pain passes. Where you have the stick "What did I give you?" he asks. The boy has it at home, well kept, as it is still a treasure, the stick of one of the best players in the history of roller hockey. This year, Jordi retires after 28 seasons in the elite and winning absolutely everything. Last season, he qualified with his beloved Chica Freixenet for the final four of the Champions League, which is being played this weekend in Matosinhos (Portugal). Noia hadn't achieved this feat for 20 years. final four?

— For us, it's a dream come true, being here. We didn't expect it. I already knew it was my last year, and when I saw the Champions League draw, I thought it was bad luck because it was a very tough group. But hey, with a little luck, a little drive, and a little good play, we did it. We deserved it. When we got a point at Barcelos, I knew things would go well. And now we're facing the semifinals again. I'm especially happy for the people of the town; Noia deserved it.

What does this European final mean to you in the year of your farewell?

— It's everything to me, right? I get emotional when I walk in here, at the Ateneo. This court is my life. And I play in front of my people, friends, family, lifelong partners... and my children. I felt I owed it to myself to give myself a farewell at home, after so many years away. I left Noia very young; I've won everything and experienced great things, especially in A Coruña with Liceo, but I wanted to come back home.

How would you explain what this sport means in your town to someone who is not from Sant Sadurní?

— Here we're known for cava and hockey. There's a strong tradition; we have a lot of boys and girls at the school. Not just at the club, but also at the schools. It's spread to other places like Sant Hipòlit, Reus, Igualada... it's a sport rooted in the town, in our way of being. In my family, different generations of siblings and cousins played. My father hadn't played, but he was a representative. I think when I was born, they made me a member of Noia before I even got my ID. It's a tradition we have; the three of us have been members since we were born. I remember when I was very young at the San José School, skating with my brother, and my mother watching us and being happy with how we did. Here in Sant Sadurní, we're born and already have skates on our feet.

Was it difficult leaving Noia when you went to Liceo?

— The first thing I wanted was to play for Noia's first team, but after that... I wanted to win things. And at Liceo I did that. It was part of a process. I love Liceo very much; I was very happy there. Now, I didn't like it at all when it came to coming here to play against Noia. I've never celebrated a goal against Noia. I'd score a goal and see my uncle, my brother, and my father in the stands wearing the Noia scarf. Now, I haven't wanted to celebrate goals either when I've returned to A Coruña.

In the Copa del Rey, you shone, eliminating Barça in the quarterfinals. But you then lost to Lleida in the semifinals. Was that a tough blow?

— I already knew it could happen. It's the thing about being a veteran, because I've been through it. Lleida is a hell of a team, and when we beat Barça, I already knew they could beat us in the semifinals. And they did. It's one of those defeats that makes you grow.

Being a veteran, have you had to act as assistant coach this year within the squad?

— No, I don't feel like a second coach, but I do try to contribute my experience. Now I do notice that when I speak, people listen, and that wasn't the case as much before. I help with advice, to manage the euphoria.

But soon you'll be called upon to become assistant coach, as once you retire you'll have that position with the Spanish national team. Do you see yourself coaching in the future?

— It's been an opportunity that came at just the right time. Pere Varias asked me, and it will be a new stage that will allow me to continue doing what I love. For now, I don't want to think about going any further, about whether I'll be a head coach... step by step, everything is a stage. Now it's time to finish my playing career in the best possible way.

Maybe you'll be coaching your brother Pau to the national team...

— First we have to win it, he's not even called up yet! (smiles). Pau is one of the best players in the world, it will be great to work together. Just think, we always face each other in the league. We talk all week, but when it's time to face each other, we stop saying anything two days before. A kind of tactic to avoid getting angry, I guess. We go three days without saying anything to each other. And once the game is over, we come back as if nothing happened. We're very competitive.

Until recently you worked as a school teacher, but now hockey is also your job when you're not playing.

— I've been very lucky. The Ferrer brothers came to recruit me to join the Joliu Campus, where young people study and train in different sports, something like Barça's La Masia, but with other sports. Sailing, motorsports, paddle tennis, and now we'll be doing hockey with some Colombian kids, for example. We give them individualized training and help them study, and we have agreements with local clubs to help them play.

You're talking about Colombian kids. One of the challenges of hockey is to grow beyond Catalonia and Portugal.

— True. At home, we have packed arenas, but places like Switzerland, where they had a long tradition, have somewhat neglected it now. It's necessary to promote the sport in other countries, to have equal, exciting competitions. If we always beat the Catalans and Portuguese, we have a problem. In France, for example, when I was there 15 years ago, the level was low, but they've stepped up their game and now it's hard to beat them.

You mentioned packed arenas at home. However, some were too old, as happened in Voltregà. How's hockey going right now?

— On a social and sporting level, I'd say it's good, but we should improve on some things. I think that in our sport, as in other cases, the housing and construction crisis was detrimental. Many were sponsors, like in Igualada or at the Liceo.

When you retire, will you still be linked to Chica?

— I guess I'll be cheering on Penya Barretina in the stands (smiles). And with their son, who will be joining the youth teams. I'll be another member. I hope to finally have quieter days to spend with my children. The last few years have been tough, with the schedules, the travel... Your body is already aching, and I've been putting off saying goodbye a little longer than I should have because I like it... but it's time to let it go. It's the perfect time to be among the top four in Europe.

Top four or higher?

— We're arriving in good shape, excited... and the people of Sant Sadurní are stubborn people. No one sees us as favorites, but when the game starts, the ball is in our way and anything can happen. It's never easy to go to Portugal and beat them. There, you could say they're like they were 15 years ago, with arenas that are really tight. They have tradition and passion, with a very competitive league. When I played, I did very well. But the pressure is on them. Competing better when the atmosphere is tough is in my blood; I was already that way when I was little. I like heated matches. So if we beat Barcelos, which will be tough, anything could happen in the final, although it would be against Benfica or Porto. But, come on, nothing's scary. In Sant Sadurní, we have a reputation for being a bit of a troublemaker.