Hello Chema, how are you finding Stuttgart?
Chema: “Very good. Stuttgart is a very buoyant city. I’ve been received and welcomed very warmly. People often say to me that the Germans are more serious and strict, but that’s not true – quite the opposite. I’ve been positively surprised.”
Have you found somewhere to live yet?
Chema: “My brother came with me to Germany and we’ve found a nice, cosy place together. Being close to the training ground was important to me. We’re still getting ourselves set up but already feel really at home.”
Who was the first person you met in Stuttgart?
Chema: “In the dressing room it was our coach, Sebastian Hoeneß. He came straight over, welcomed me and we had a chat.”
In May 2024, you played your first 45 minutes for Real Madrid Castilla, the reserve team of Los Blancos, against Granada B at home – and won 1-0. A successful debut for you?
Chema: “I went to Real Madrid as a young boy, looked up to the professional teams and admired them. I always thought about how cool it would be to play for Real Madrid Castilla one day. In the end I got to fulfil that ambition, which made me very proud.”
You got your first minutes for the Madrid first team in January of this year in the Copa del Rey against CD Minera. Did you know you were going to play?
Chema: “It was the first round of the cup, so the chance for players who don’t normally play as much was there. I was obviously hoping for it but at the end of the day, you never know what’s going to happen in the match. We were all ready on the subs’ bench, I was the lucky one. It was absolutely special.”
For me as a young player, the move to Stuttgart was therefore the right next step.
Do you already know a bit of German?
Chema: “I understand a bit and I keep picking up new things. My brother and I started a German course this week. I want to understand everything that we discuss in the team.”
Why did you decide to join VfB?
Chema: “VfB are a club with great history, who play exciting football and have had a really good couple of seasons. They also rely on young players, take them to the next level and still remain competitive internationally. For me as a young player, the move to Stuttgart was therefore the right next step.”
Was the Bundesliga always a target of yours?
Chema: “I always watched the Premier League, Bundesliga and La Liga as a little boy. They’re the three best leagues for me. The fact I’ve already played in two of them now at the age of 20 is an absolute dream come true for me. It’s a privilege to be able to play in the Bundesliga.”
How do you like the German fan culture?
Chema: “I find it extremely good. That’s one thing about Germany I didn’t know as much about. No matter what happens, our fans are always behind us, they cheer us on and the stadium is sold out. Open training sessions during the season, for example, are something I wasn’t familiar with from Madrid. I think it’s nice to have that contact with the fans.”
One thing that’s noticeable: when you come onto the pitch, you’re immediately engaged – talking a lot, showing ideas. What kind of player are you?
Chema: “Talking, gesticulating and giving directions give me assurance and calmness. That way I’m immediately active and focused in the game. Jeff [Chabot] always says to me: ‘Talk, Chema! Whether it’s in Spanish, English or German – talk! We understand you already.’ (laughs) That helps me enormously.”
What would you like to achieve with VfB?
Chema: “It’s still too early to talk about successes or goals. We take it one match at a time and we need to perform. The season is long. Obviously, it’d be nice to celebrate some success at the end of it, especially for our fans. They deserve it.”
Is there one match that will particularly stick in your memory?
Chema: “Yes, in fact my first VfB home match against Mönchengladbach. I made my Bundesliga debut, scored my first goal in front of a full house and we won. On top of that, it was the anniversary match for ‘100 years of the hoop’. I couldn’t have asked for more, it’ll stay with me and my family forever.”
And your celebration was captured perfectly.
Chema: “The photo was perfectly taken. My brother and I have already decided that we’re going to get the picture framed and hang it in our new home.”