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Announced as the Spirit’s next head coach on January 9, Jonatan Giráldez officially arrived in DC last month following an historic season with FC Barcelona Femení. Giráldez made his sideline debut as acting head coach on July 6, a Spirit victory.
Under Giráldez’s guidance, Barcelona most recently earned its first-ever quadruple, winning Liga F, the UEFA Women’s Champions League, Copa de la Reina and Supercopa de España Femenina. He also led Barcelona to 58 straight Liga F victories to start his tenure.
We sat down with Giráldez to learn more about him outside of the pitch.
What was your first soccer memory?
I remember my first moment was watching games on the TV with my grandfather. It was really special because I couldn’t read at that moment, but I knew the names of the players, the names of the clubs while watching TV. Playing football, I don’t remember the first time, but I always was playing football when I was young.
What was your most special soccer memory?
My son was a special moment for us. I am from Galicia, from Vigo, and my wife is, too. But my son was born in Barcelona. One week – eight days – before playing Champions League Final that season, he was born. When you become a father, when you win the Champions League, put all those moments together, it was one of the best moments of my life. We were losing the game at halftime 0-2, and we beat them in the second half. It was so special, but so much more special because of my son.
Who was your favorite athlete growing up?
When I was young, Ronaldinho. He was my favorite player. I always would watch videos of him. I remember my first time in the stadium, I wanted to go to Barcelona to watch Ronaldinho. He was a different player — always smiling, showing his skills every game, it didn’t matter who the opponent was, he was free when he played. Another important moment for me was when Pep Guardiola became manager because I think the best football I have ever seen in my life was his Barca team. Messi, for sure, is another one. It was crazy the games I’ve watched him live. He’s so special. The list would have to be Ronaldinho, Guardiola, and then Messi. If I had to add another one, Aleksandr Mostovoy. He was my idol and my favorite player when I was young. Midfielder for Celta de Vigo – my team growing up. I am from Vigo. Before Ronaldinho, Mostovoy was my idol. He was another generation. He was a Russian player, unbelievable with the ball.
What was your first job?
I had many jobs before soccer. I used to work as a gardener with my father – I was 13, 14 year old – just to earn some money. I was working as a barman. I was working as a salesman, selling things on the street in Barcelona. I was doing everything before my first soccer job. By the way, I think those jobs gave me the strength and skills to be able to cope with pressure. When you have to suffer a lot every day to pay the bills, it was a difficult moment, for me and my wife. I was working in the morning, I was working in the afternoon. I did nine, ten, eleven different jobs before starting at the Catalonia Federation. My first coaching job was at 18 years old when I started my degree in Sports Science. I started as a head coach for U-9, U-11, everything. My last year in the Sports Science degree, I met Adri (Adrián González) at Espanyol de Barcelona for the U-16 team. He was an assistant coach, and I was there for my practicum in my final year as a student. I met Adri there, and he gave me the opportunity to help the team, meet the head coach, help the physical coaches with activation, and all of that. After that, when I was at the Catalonia Federation, I was a teacher, physical coach, analyst, assistant coach, main coach, teacher, coordinator for the women’s team summer camp, commentator on TV, everything. I was really happy to do things related to football and not related to football. I think that gave me the qualities to cope with pressure when you are the main coach.
What is your favorite type of music?
I like all music, if the music is good. My favorite style is maybe cumbia. It is from Argentina, Uruguay, Latin America. In Galicia, it is very common during the summer. There are many, many parties and groups of people playing different styles of music. Cumbia is one of them. Ráfaga is my favorite band. But I really like all music. I can listen on my Spotify list – I have everything.
What is your favorite drink?
Orange juice. Natural. I love it.
What is always in your refrigerator?
Something from Galicia. I always say that Galicia, we have the best seafood, best beef, best fish, best vegetables. When I move somewhere – like when I went to Barcelona for the first time – every day I have something from Galicia. Right now, I have nothing from Galicia. I have to speak with someone to help me with that!
What is the favorite place you’ve ever traveled?
Cíes Island. It is in Vigo. The name of my son is Cíes, and it is the island in front of Vigo. We say that we have the best seafood in the world. I put the name because in 2008, Cíes Island’s Rodas Beach was named the best beach in the world. My first time there, it was a paradise. Some people think you have to travel far away to find beautiful places, but for me Cíes Island is one of the most beautiful places in the world.
Where is somewhere you’ve never been that you would like to go?
I think Iceland. I have never been, but everything I see looks amazing. I like the typical places there like the mountains, the views. I would like to be there one day. I also want to visit different places in America. I have only been here three times, but all three times I was working. I have never been here visiting places. When I have one, two days off, I want to visit places close by DC. I will go into the city, for sure.
What do you do on an off day?
I like games. If I want to distract myself from football, I love to compete with anyone. Right now, I love spending time with my family, with Cíes. When you are training, coaching, you have not enough time to spend with him and my family. I miss him, so I like being with him. But before that, when I didn’t have Cíes, I liked visiting different mountains, rivers, and nature. I love nature. When I live in a new place, I try to visit around.
What is your favorite meal?
Cocido. It is a Galician meal. You put together broth, potatoes, meat, vegetables, and cook it. You can decide what you want to put in it. My grandma made it. When I go there, she always prepares the same thing because she knows that it is such a beautiful meal.
Do you have any pre-match superstitions?
I have no superstitions. What I like to do is be involved with the staff members. I like to explain the game plan 30 minutes before to show to the players. It is a moment to connect with all of them to believe in the game plan, to put in practice during the game. I have no superstitions before the game. I just like to be focused. I need to have everything under control. I am very prepared before the match.
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