Real Madrid News
Former Real Madrid defender reflects on painful memories at the club – ‘They screwed my life’
Ivan Helguera, a key figure in one of Real Madrid’s golden eras, recently opened up about his football career on the Offsiders podcast.
The former Spanish international gave a raw and personal account of how he was signed, his early fears, and the emotional rollercoaster he experienced during his final years at the club.
Helguera revealed that his move to Real Madrid was unexpectedly shaped by a personal interaction with Fernando Hierro.
“Espanyol and Real Madrid were meeting at the airport, and Hierro called me over. I knew him from the national team. He told me to leave Espanyol and join Madrid.
“That was it. I wasn’t thinking about Rayo or any other option. He was one of my idols,” Helguera shared.
Emotional weight of playing for Real Madrid
Speaking about the emotional weight of playing for a club like Madrid, he recalled how hard it was to adapt.
“I arrived shy, full of fear and expectation. At Madrid, if you are too kind or reserved, the locker room can swallow you whole. You’ve got to step up, or you’ll be eaten alive.”
He also compared his playing style to current Madrid star Aurelien Tchouameni, explaining, “I did a lot of things you couldn’t see. I covered space, supported others.
“Just like people say about Tchouaméni today, he has presence without flash. I had that, too, until I eventually stood out in a big game.”
Bitter final years at the Bernabeu
While Helguera’s early years were full of promise, his final seasons were marked by frustration and emotional pain.
He claimed he was mistreated by then-sporting director Predrag Mijatovic and ignored by the club president.
“I had just won the league and was told I wouldn’t play again. Capello told me I’d be training with the reserves.
“But he wasn’t stupid, he saw my value. I fought back, played games, and we won the league again. I ended up being the sixth most-used player that year.”
Despite his performances, the following season was no better. “Mijatovic told me straight that they’d take away my shirt number and make my life miserable.
“I didn’t even go to meetings anymore. I couldn’t handle the tension. Eventually, Valencia came in, and that was the end of it.
“Emotionally, I was screwed. My head told me they were screwing me and screwing my life up. The president didn’t even greet me,” he noted.
Real Madrid News
Inter Milan boss Chivu praises Mourinho ahead of Real Madrid showdown: ‘A special person’
Inter Milan head coach Cristian Chivu has described Jose Mourinho as “a special person” ahead of Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League meeting with Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The Romanian spent two seasons playing under Mourinho at Inter between 2008 and 2010, a period that culminated in the club winning the Champions League at the very same stadium in 2010.
A serial winner
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Chivu reflected warmly on his former manager.
“He’s a special person who I was lucky enough to meet in my life. He gave me important help during a difficult period of my life, and I’ll never forget that,” Chivu said, as quoted by Mundo Deportivo.
Chivu also praised Mourinho’s ability to influence the teams he manages and instil his mentality in his players.
“He’s very good at immersing himself in the reality of the team he represents and transmitting his mentality. He’s a winner who knows how to communicate things at the right moment. Very few people know how to do that like he does,” he said.
“He has won everywhere he has been, and I’m sure Real Madrid will have a great season.”
Despite his admiration for Mourinho, Chivu insisted that the Portuguese has not served as a template for his own coaching career.
Asked whether he takes inspiration from his former manager, the Inter boss replied: “I’ve never copied anyone. I have my own idea of football, which has been built through my years as a player and as a coach.”
Chivu assesses Mourinho’s Real Madrid
Chivu believes it is still too early to draw firm conclusions about Mourinho’s return to Real Madrid.
“It’s still very early. It has been a fairly balanced start, although they lost their last match undeservedly because they played very well,” he said.
“They’re a team with a great history and a coach who knows how to do things.”
“Playing at the Bernabeu is not easy for anyone”
With Mourinho in the dugout and Chivu in defence, Inter defeated Bayern Munich in the 2010 Champions League final at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The now-Inter manager believes returning to the stadium where they lifted the trophy 16 years ago will provide a special occasion, although he knows the challenge facing his team.
“The stadium has been renovated and it’s even more beautiful. It has a great tradition and today it’s more beautiful and more modern. We like playing a Champions League match in this stadium,” he said.
“Playing at the Bernabeu is not easy for anyone. Inter haven’t won here for 60 years. We’ll do everything possible and we want to show that we’re competitive and that we have the desire to dominate.
“There’s no perfect way to play against Real Madrid because they have players who can make the difference regardless of the plan you have.”
Inter arrive in Madrid after recovering from a difficult game against Napoli, while Chivu prepares to face the coach who played such an important role in his career.
