Former Real Madrid defender reflects on painful memories at the club – ‘They screwed my life'

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2 days ago

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.
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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
Ivan Helguera made a strong start for Real Madrid. (Photo by Martin Rose/Bongarts/Getty Images)
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.
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'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
Ivan Helguera was forced out of Real Madrid. (Picture courtesy: Shaun Botterill /Allsport)
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.
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'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.