The decision to move to Ekstraklasa

He won the Champions League with Barcelona, now he plays in Poland. “They always make jokes”

Filip Zieliński (beIN Sports USA correspondent in Poland, journalist for Przegląd Sportowy Onet): Why did you decide to play in Polish Ekstraklasa?

Sergi Samper (Motor Lublin, ex-Barcelona): I got over a bad injury, which was an ACL injury in my last season during my contract in Japan. Then I returned to Spain, and it was not a good season for me. And after this, the coach and the sports director of Motor Lublin called me. They just explained to me a little bit about the project, the play style, and it was an easy decision for me.

Surprised by Poland

What surprised you in Poland?

I think the atmosphere in the stadiums. They are very good. And most of all, they are always full. And you really feel like a footballer. Also, our training center is amazing. To be honest, it's better than in some clubs in Spain. It was a big cultural shock in Japan. And here in Lublin? For me, it is great. Many people speak English. In Japan, it was different. But also, I have to say very good things about Japan. I like that country a lot. I spent nearly five years there, but now I'm here in Poland, closer to Barcelona. So it is closer to my home, and my family can come here sometimes. So for me, it's better. I love food in Japan. For me, it was the best, because I love fish, which was amazing. Sushi, ramen... We had many options. I lived in Kobe, and the Kobe beef was also top. But in Poland, I have to say, I eat a lot of meat because I like it a lot. Maybe it's a little bit difficult to find good fish, but I'm on a keto diet. So for me it's okay. We also have a chef in the club, and he prepares something special for me every time. So I feel like home.

The level of the league and Motor Lublin

How would you rate the level of players in the Polish Ekstraklasa compared to the Spanish and Japanese League?

I don't like to compare, because it's difficult. I think we have 32 Spanish players or something like that in Ekstraklasa. It's crazy, you know, and this means that the league is developing a lot. Players from the second level in Spain prefer to play in Ekstraklasa. Due to economic terms, but also conditions in the stadiums. So it's an excellent option for them to play in Europe, but in a country other than Spain. And I think in the last year the league has grown a lot.

How do you feel in Motor Lublin? You are the only Spanish player in Motor.

I feel great. Yeah, of course, sometimes you prefer to have some Spanish guys with you, but I feel excellent with my teammates and also with the staff. I'm one of the captains of the team. So I always try to help the youngest, and I think we have a really good atmosphere. That's why I’ve decided to stay in the team one more year. After 32 years, we came back to Ekstraklasa, and last season was the first season after that, and we finished seventh. So let's see now what we can do this season. We all like to be in the top ten, but let's see. It will be a long season, but I think we have a good team, great energy between players and staff. It is important.

Ambitions and Barcelona memories

What are Motor's long-term ambitions?

What the president always says is that in some years we want to play “in Europe” - in European Cups. And I think it's not impossible. Every year, the team will be better. Now it is difficult to fight with the best teams in Poland, but I think soon we will have this chance. Lublin is a big city, we have good conditions, and now I receive a lot of calls from Spanish players. They want to come here. So let's see.

Which team in the Ekstraklasa is the strongest this season, in your opinion?

Hard to say, because we’ve only played six games. Last season, for me, it was Lech Poznan. They impressed me a lot. I don't see one team favourite. This is also good. I know the difference between teams is not big. So let's see, maybe there will be some surprise.

You are the second player in the history of the Ekstraklasa to have won the Champions League. The first was Fangzhuo Dong (ex Manchester United and Legia Warsaw). How do your teammates react to this? Are they curious about your stories?

Of course, they always make jokes. They show me the photos from UCL. It was the last time Barcelona won the Champions League. It was ten years ago, but I have wonderful memories. We always speak about Barcelona because there are also two Polish players now, Robert Lewandowski and Wojciech Szczęsny, so everything is connected.

La Masia, Messi and Lamine

Do you still live in Spain during the off-season?

Yeah, now we had some days off, due to the international break, so I went home. For me, it is near. It's only two and a half hours, so it's easy to go.

The weather is definitely better there, right?

I always say the same. But to be honest, I expected worse weather in Poland. In winter it's indeed more difficult, I feel bad only about it's being so dark in the evening, maybe at 4 p.m. But it's no problem with the low temperature for me.

Are you still in touch with any of the Barcelona players?

Yes, the majority of my teammates that I played with in the La Masia academy. The first team changed a lot, there are no players that I play with.

You played with Leo Messi and Luis Suarez. How do you remember that today?

I remember this team that we won the Champions League. Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Neymar, Andrés Iniesta, Xavi, Mascherano… It was an amazing team. I learned a lot. I have wonderful memories, and they are also good people. For example, with Iniesta, I also played in Japan, and we are really good friends now.

You are a La Masia graduate, like Lamine Yamal. What do you think of his talent?

It’s crazy how good this guy is. He is only 18 years old, and he made his debut three years ago. I think he doesn't care about the pressure. He only plays and enjoys soccer. It's important to have this kind of player, because that's why I would like to pay the ticket for.

You watch him on TV, and you played with Messi on the pitch. Does Yamal have the potential to be as good as Messi?

This is such a difficult question for me, because in my opinion, Messi is the best in history. And I don't want to compare. To be like Messi you have to be 20 years at this level, you know, and this is so hard. But of course, nowadays, for me, Lamine is the best player in the world. He decides a lot of games, and he has a sick quality. So he has the conditions, but let's see.

Will Barcelona finally win the Champions League this season?

I hope, of course I hope… It's been a long time since playing the final of the Champions League. They have a great team, very young players. It was fun to watch them last season. They were near the final.

Where do you see Barcelona’s strengths and weaknesses?

It’s interesting to watch them because they create so many chances when they press. They recover so fast, and it's so difficult to attack them. They put the defence line high. And there are indeed many spaces behind defenders. Now the teams are studying their play style a lot and learn how to attack. I think that they have a lot of quality with the ball, and they have such intelligent players and a good coach.