Former Real Madrid Youth Training Umanes: I am grateful to Inzaghi, I have always taken Ronaldo as an example

Former Real Madrid youth training player Hugo Umanes is currently playing for Inter Milan U20 team. He knew very well that success was not achieved overnight. The midfielder was interviewed by The Asukka Club Stadium, just 4 km from his hometown of Villanueva de la Torre, Guadalajara Province.

Umanes' football career began in indoor futsal. He started to get involved in football when he was only four years old, initially playing football at the Inter Movistar club.

Umanes: "Futsal football has benefited me a lot in terms of skills, dribbling and skills, just like street football. I have always taken Ronaldo as a role model. My style is different from him, and I prefer to make the game interesting through dribbling. In this regard, I admire Neymar or Isco more."

After nine years at Real Madrid's youth training camp, 16-year-old Umanes packed his bags in 2023 and headed to Inter Milan on the other side of the Alps.

He said: "I spent nine years at Real Madrid and joined when I was seven. To be honest, I wanted to try something new, a different style of game, a different environment. When I first arrived in Italy, I took some time to adapt because the game here is very focused on physical confrontation and the pace is very fast. In the end, it took me about a month or two to fully adapt."

Last season, he contributed three goals and six assists in the U18 echelon. This year, he will face greater challenges and enter the U20 echelon.

"I'm ready, I've been training all summer and I feel very calm. I hope to achieve good results with the team this season. We have the Youth League, the Copa Italy and other events, and I hope everything goes well. Although I haven't had the chance to meet Zivo, I wish him all the best. My goal is to succeed in Inter Milan. But no matter what, the dream can only be realized through hard work and humility. Last year, under Inzaghi, I participated in some first-team training. He is A very close person who gave me a lot of help and I am grateful to him."

When asked if it was possible to return to Real Madrid, Umanes said: "When I left, the door was open. But now, my whole heart is on Inter Milan. Real Madrid youth training camp has taught me a lot, and I have been learning there since I was seven. I can only be grateful for them."

In his farewell letter, he said not only goodbye to the club, but also to everyone who helped him grow up. Alvaro Aveloa also specially sent him blessings (good luck, little Hugo!).

Umanes: "This is a very beautiful move. Averoya was my coach and I have always respected him. He taught me a lot."

While representing the White Army, Umanes scored a wonderful half-court lob shot against Atletico Madrid, helping the team win the championship in the penalty shootout.

He said: "At that time, my teammate passed the ball to me. I looked at the goal and wanted to try to play in the far corner. If I didn't make it, maybe there would be teammates to answer. Fortunately, the ball entered."

In addition to the club's game, Umanes also represented Madrid's U16 regional selection team in the Spanish Championship and won the championship in 2023. That experience made him teammate with Alvaro Gonzalez and Jaime Barros.

He said: "It was a wonderful experience. We met Catalonia in the final, and they had great players like Mark Bernard in their roster. It was a tough game, but we finally won by penalty kicks. That moment was really very happy."

For most people, representing a community, a country is not just football. He said: "I have never been selected for the national team. I really want to go, but I believe that through patience and hard work, everything will come. I am in very good physical and mental state this year, so I believe the goal this year is to get a call."