Roger Hinojo: "When they propose that you wear the number 21 at Espanyol... it means many things"

At La21 nobody has a bad word about Roger Hinojo (Cabrianes, 2005). Everyone who has coincided with him since he arrived there, 12 years ago, says he is an “extraordinarily normal” guy who lives far from the stereotypes surrounding footballers. He left home at 16 and has gone through all the rungs of the youth academy until his debut at the RCDE Stadium, last Sunday at 20 years old. He had a great game. He is the man of the week in white-and-blue terms because a few days later he agreed to wear the number 21, which honors Jarque's memory and gives its name to the sports city of the club of his life. And this Saturday, as a left-back, he will mark Yan Diomande, the most expensive signing in the history of a Madrid that is premiering a coach: José Mourinho.What did you hear on Sunday?

— A brutal joy, it was my dream. When I went out to warm up, I already had goosebumps. It was incredible to enter with the anthem. After so many years going to the stadium, it's hard to explain in words what you feel when you're on the pitch. And we won 3-0! It was very intense for me and my family.

Your mother was moved.

— The mother, the father, and my brother. It's a moment that is also theirs.

How many kilometers has your father driven in the car?

— Many. I played for the town's team and then for Nàstic de Manresa. I signed for Espanyol when I was a Benjamin A. Until I was 15 – on my last year as a cadet, I used to go by taxi – he would take me three times a week from Cabrianes, which is 70 kilometers away. I can never thank him enough for all he has done for me.

At 16 you leave home and never come back.

— When I started my youth stage, I went to live at Espanyol's residence. Although I returned home on weekends, at first it was hard to live away from my family. But it helped me to grow personally and adapt to being alone. At 18, I shared a flat with Jan Moreno, my roommate at the resi. And last year I lived alone in León.

You were captain of the youth team in the Copa final and a key player with the reserves. When do you realize you can be a professional?

— I don't think about it much. Whether you're in the youth team A or the first team, you can never lose focus. It's just very difficult to get there, I'm a privileged person. Look, I got injured in the reserves, and that could have prevented me from getting there. It's about enjoying, learning, working hard, and being humble. And if it's meant to happen, then it will happen.

How do you know you wore the number 21?

— Wednesday afternoon I was informed that they wanted me to bring the 21. And when they propose that to you, you can't say no. Thursday morning it was announced. I am very grateful.

You took him to the reserve team and to Cultural Leonesa, but for Espanyol's first team, the 21 has a special meaning.

— You see it as you move up categories. It means many things and carries a great responsibility in the football and personal spheres. Many are the values that surround the 21. I will try to be up to the task.

Tell us about Manolo González.

— It is very important to me. He made me debut with the reserves as a youth player and also with the first team; the confidence he gave me was a boost. His personality when training, how he conveys things to the player, has also marked me a lot. And when he has to tell you something bad, he tells you to your face.

And what does he ask you for? Last Sunday the action for the second goal was born from a long pass from you.

— He has always told me to have personality, to try to do what I feel. And since I have a good foot for making these types of trips, well, I try.

Is Monchi very close to you?

— It is very present in training sessions. He was also there before the match the other day. We value highly that he is one more of the group.

What did last year's loan to Cultural Leonesa do for you?

— In football, not everything is beautiful and when you are alone, you learn to be strong and to be with yourself, to feel fragile at some point and to try to overcome adversity. You also realize that you are privileged to be in a club like this. You may not see it in the reserve team, but going out allows you to appreciate it.

Do you watch a lot of football?

— When I watch four or five games I try to disconnect a little, but I do watch a lot because it helps me learn and understand the game.

Your former coaches say you are curious about understanding the game and that you ask your teammates a lot.

— I have always done it. Now I ask Cabrera or Omar, especially about defensive aspects. In the process of adapting to the first team I have noticed that the game goes much faster, and it is key to anticipate situations. If you watch football and ask questions, you can improve your reading of the game.

To Hartman, who like you plays on the left flank, do you also ask him things?

— Yes, yes. I get by with English and I also ask him things, of course. I get along very well with him.

In the locker room, do you speak Catalan?

— And so, with all those who speak Catalan: Pol Lozano, Edu Expósito, Jofre Carreras, Calatrava... with Manolo too. At home, I have always spoken Catalan.

You are a good student. You are doing a degree, right?

— I am doing the online degree in business administration and management. I haven't dropped out nor do I plan to. Now I'm trying to take fewer subjects per semester.

Those who know you best say you don't have tattoos, expensive cars, or designer toiletry bags.

— (Laughs) I consider myself pretty normal, yes. I wear glasses because I wear contact lenses. If not, I wouldn't wear them. I also carry my toothbrush.

Some say you are like Clark Kent, the anonymous identity that Superman has.

— (Laughs) He also wears glasses, that's true. Since I play football without glasses, it's normal that people don't imagine me with glasses.

Saturday the new Madrid of Mourinho arrives.

— He is a tough opponent, but we are very clear about what we have to do and we will compete without fear. We are Espanyol and we have to be up to the task.

You will have to mark Diomande, who is worth more than 130 million.

— If I play, I'll put on my work overalls. It's not about defending one against one, but eleven against eleven because together we are stronger.

You said your dream was to debut. What comes next?

— Now comes the match against Madrid. It's a mistake to look beyond.