Atlético Madrid midfielder Álex Baena spoke candidly about the challenges he faced ahead of the 2024 European Championship. In an interview, the player admitted that during that period he endured serious internal struggles, including thoughts of ending his professional career.
Baena said that after losing the U21 final and his first call-up to the Spanish national team, he found himself in a difficult emotional state. It was regular sessions with a psychologist, along with support from his mother and brothers, that helped him through. Together, they managed to overcome the crisis and restore his confidence.
The footballer pointed out that people often only see the surface of an athlete’s life: recognition, high earnings, and comfort. However, behind this lies constant pressure, a strict routine, time away from family, and the need to sacrifice personal time for training and recovery. Baena stressed that only those closest truly understand the challenges players face.
Speaking about working with Atlético head coach Diego Simeone, Baena noted that the atmosphere within the team is different from the stereotypes often portrayed by fans and the media. According to him, Simeone pays close attention to every player, energizes the group, and motivates them to give their all. Baena considers him one of the strongest professionals in world football and points out that many of the rumors about the club’s internal life do not reflect reality.
At Atlético, Baena plays alongside stars such as Antoine Griezmann and Julián, emphasizing that the team is focused solely on winning. He says no one talks about finishing third — everyone is determined to compete for trophies, despite the tough competition from Barcelona and Real Madrid.
Baena also expressed his admiration for Pedri’s play, calling him the best in his position and one of the top footballers in the world. He noted that from their first matches together for the youth national team, he was impressed by Pedri’s skill, and believes that Pedri truly deserves the highest individual awards.
