Exclusive Nolito interview: We can smack Barcelona down

Sevilla forward Nolito received SPORT in his home to chat about his career and the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona on Saturday.

Do you remember the first time you played football?

Sincerely, no. When I was a child I liked to play, went there, to the pitches under by house. 

You seem like you could have been a naughty child.

Well, a little bit. I don't know, I tried to enjoy myself and entertain myself and play with my childhood friends, we played all kind of games. 

Like what?

Police and thief, the bottle as I called it. I remember there was a bottle and you give him a 'smack'. We played and we did some naughty stuff. 

What day did you think you'd be a footballer?

The day I arrived at Barcelona B.

You were already 21...

Already but in Sanluqueno I got some money, in Ecija some other money, and you go from there. You have enough for your things, you rent a flat, but it's not something that you can say "I've got my life sorted out:". You play in Segunda B, you have a salary, you lo look for work, but at Barca B I signed a contract that for me was a lot of money. And when I was there the coach (Luis Enrique) helped me a lot and I saw I could get money from playing and earn enough in football and my family would want for nothing.

Do you enjoy football less being professional?

I've enjoyed football. I've enjoyed it a lot and had some terrible moments too, but what is true is that I enjoyed it more when I was younger. I had no problems, I played, I played and you only get annoyed when you lose. You have no media pressure. You're with your friends and it's the fucking bomb. But now you have pressure, everyone talks about you, for good and bad. When you play well, when you play badly. It's like a business but we do our job and have to get on with it.

And you are.

Yes, I try to be happy, have a good time, help my team. As I've always said, I'm privileged that they pay me so much for my work. 

A job that started at Barca...

Yes, true. Barca changed me and above all, Luis Enrique changed me. Other coaches helped me, but I think that Lucho was a bit more. I was at an age where I had to move forward or move backwards. Stay in Segunda B or Tercera, or try to go big and play in Segunda or Primera. 

You moved forwards.

The coach was always on my back. Every day, so much. Diet, mental stuff, football is psychology, same as all jobs. I believed in myself, and I didn't complain because I was making my dreams come true. And I think the best is yet to come. 

You could have signed for Barca from Celta...

I was almost going but in the end I went to City. Barca were interested for several years but for one thing or another, things happen. I was on the fence but between my family, my agent and everyone, we ended up thinking the best thing in the end was City. 

After City you arrived at Seville. Final stop?

I hope it is, I'm 31 and I am very very happy and comfortable here. I signed for three years and I want to complete my contract unless they throw me out first.

Barca returns to your life... are they the worst opponents?

Sincerely, yes. But everything has its pros and cons. They are favourites but in the end it's a game and with all respect, we can smack them down. If you beat Barcelona in a final, you win and you do it in the Copa del Rey final, this has a double merit. It's clear this is a difficult final but, make hay while the sun shines. Whoever gets the chance to play will enjoy it a lot and will take that as a memory. And if we win then it's the fucking bomb. It's difficult but it's also difficult to play against Leganes.

Does Barca motivate you more? 

It motivates me because I've never had the chance to play in any final. I remember I saw one when I was there in Camp Nou, Sevilla vs Atletico. And it's mad, the atmosphere. I would love to play but it's up to the coach. 

What would it mean to win on a personal level?

An immense joy. It would be my first title with Sevilla, in my first year and it would be wonderful to give happiness to the fans.

Do you think Barca are more tired?

At these stages of the season the teams that have played in three competitions are more tired but it's a final and you give everything.

Can being given the UCL KO affect Barca?

Sincerely, no. It was a tough blow for them but they wanted to resuscitate themselves and that makes them more dangerous.

It's bigger for Sevilla fans?

I imagine Barca fans saying 'another final?' and me sitting at home with a tapas and a beer. And Sevilla, they go here, there, with their car, their food, their beer, to have a tailgate. If they win it will be amazing.