“I said it after the match: if you don’t believe, stay in Madrid.” Pedro Porro – as.com

They didn't include the last part on the English version. Here:

What do you expect from Atlético?

They're a great team, they showed it in the first leg. So did we, though. If you think about it, take away those three mistakes and it's 2-2. We don't expect them to sit back and park the bus, not at all.

In the Copa del Rey semi-final it was 4-0 and then 3-0. Could that inspire Tottenham?

You could look at it that way, but then they have players like Griezmann, Julián, Lookman… Any one of them can score on you, and whether they come out to defend or attack, they're a very well-structured team.

How are you doing individually? Do you feel like a leader now?

Yes, of course. I always try to give the maximum, 200%, and when you transmit that to the team, they go with you too. I've felt very important since my second year, also from playing nearly every match. That gradually gives you weight in the squad. When the captains aren't there, it's fallen to me, and that's how you build your standing as a strong figure in the dressing room — and I like that too. When the young players come up, they look at you differently.

Having played in several leagues, do you consider yourself a Premier League footballer now?

Yes, I like it. I've gotten used to it. I've been here four years now and I've played everything for two of them. I like this style of football.

How much has being away from Spain for so long changed you?

It gives you a lot to think about. I left home very young, and that also makes you mature, makes you clear about things in life. I played my first professional year in Spain, my second too. I didn't get as much playing time at Valladolid as I would've liked, and I had to leave Spain to make my way, to find stability. And I found it. When you work hard and have goals in life, everything's easier. It may or may not come, but I've been lucky and I'm privileged that it did. But leaving like that gives you a huge level of maturity. It makes you stronger.

Does being away for so long make you feel even more connected to your roots?

Yes, I always like being close to Spain, to my homeland. For example, during the DANA floods, I tried to help through my agents. I'm a very close person — with my family, my friends — and as soon as I have a bit of free time I like going back home. You do miss it, but it makes you more mature. That's also why I like being close. Then there are people who don't know me, who don't know I played for Girona or Valladolid, or even that I'm an international, because I'm outside Spain and people know you less…

Speaking of the Premier League, has there been a lot of criticism because no English club won in the first leg of the round of 16?

No, football is like that. In the league phase, the English clubs finished higher up. And now, in the knockouts, I don't know, I've seen stuff about Spain beating England. It goes like that — people will always talk and I don't get into that debate. I'm a football lover and I enjoy La Liga and the Premier League, all the competitions really.

How is Gallagher doing?

He's a good lad. I'm not surprised the Atleti fans love him. Since he arrived you can tell he's a very humble, hardworking guy. And he's a very good player — we want to learn more from him. He'll definitely help us.

And Cuti? Atlético really like him…

He's a leader. He means a lot to us. He's very important in the dressing room and, on top of that, he brings his experience. He's young, but that leader mentality, wanting to win everything — that rubs off on me too, because I'm more or less like him. I don't care if I get knocked down because I'm going to get back up. And that's Cuti — apart from being an extraordinary player, he has a really strong mentality.

You've had some important managers in your career: Amorim, Conte, Postecoglou…

Each one has their own way of working. I've learned something from all of them, and that's what I take with me. I could tell you so many things about each one. There are managers who leave a mark on you, and I'm very happy with all of them because they knew how to handle me, they gave me advice that I also listened to. I wouldn't single one out — I'll take the little bit, or the lot, that I learned from all of them. I've been incredibly lucky with every manager I've had.

How has Pedro Porro changed compared to the one who debuted in La Liga in 2018?

I'm completely different. I'd say above all the nutrition, taking care of myself — I've taken that to 200%. Before, I didn't have a physio, a trainer; now I do — shout-out to David. As the years go by you realize a lot of the things you did were because you were young. You'd say, "I'm not tired, I'll have a burger, a pizza…" And now, sure, once a week I treat myself — nobody's taking that away from me — but you start cutting things out. In the end I might play 60 matches, and if I go with the national team that's another 15. And you have to be at 200% for everything — nutrition, physically, mentally, sleeping well… I also didn't have the maturity I have now, for example with my wife, my kids. Life gives you things and you change.

Doesn't the number of matches being played worry you?

You can end up thinking about it. Me, for example, I'm a football lover. I think as a professional, but also about my family. When you have a kid and you're away from home because you have, say, three matches a week and two are away, you go off in camp… Sometimes I think about that for my family's sake, I won't lie, but as a professional footballer, the excitement is still fully there. If I can play 60 matches, I'm going to play them. The day I lose that excitement, I'll say so, and I'll prioritize what I have at home — and you evolve. But as young as I am now, I'm not thinking about that. That day will come, maybe. But if you go around thinking about how many matches you have, that you're going to get injured — then you don't play. I just want to play and for my family to be well.

Real Madrid, Barça, Atlético… La Liga's big clubs have always had you on their radar. Would you like to return to La Liga?

Right now I'm not thinking about going back to Spain. I'm thinking about picking ourselves up from this, getting through it no matter what. When you're young you think about the biggest clubs. I'm at one, even if things aren't going well right now. I played a year and a half in Spain — I'd like to go back someday, also for the family. Hopefully the door to return will always be open.