Gabi: Training has been excellent, we will work hard to win titles

New signing Gabi Fernandez has praised his Al-Sadd teammates after getting to know them during the ongoing 2018-19 preseason training camp in Bad Haring, Austria. Having joined the club in the summer after leaving his longtime home in Atletico Madrid, Gabi feels that his new team is working hard towards a great start to the season.

Speaking to the club website on the sidelines of a training session, Gabi said: “I am very happy to start training with Al-Sadd. Practice has been excellent and our goal has been to reach peak levels of technical and physical fitness ahead of the new season. It feels great, the team is training as a single group, as a family that is looking to achieve victories together.”

“I have been working with a great group of players and coaching staff. I feel part of the group,” added the 35-year-old midfielder. “Also, the venue of the camp is great and it has helped us to prepare well.”

“The last five days that I have spent with the team have went well. The level of training is high, especially as there are many excellent players in the team, such as the captain Xavi, the striker Baghdad Bounedjah, Akram Afif and others. I expect the coordination between the players to improve further as we near the start of the competition.”

“Al-Sadd are big team and its aim will always be to win titles. So, this season we will aim to win all the championships.”

Asked about his view on the 2022 World Cup, Gabi said that he has realized the passion of the Qataris for football and that he is confident about their capability to host the tournament. “I am sure that the organization (of the 2022 World Cup) in Qatar will be at a high level, like the one in Russia, or even more because of the importance Qataris give towards organizing a model tournament. Also, I think the presence of international stars in the league will help in developing the level of football before the next World Cup.”

Gabi also shared his thoughts on his former team Atletico Madrid. “What distinguishes Atletico Madrid is the solidarity of the players. They are always united in their efforts to reach their specific goals and I hope to see this unity and solidarity among the players of Al-Sadd, so that we can move forward in the path of victories and win championships.”

“Every season, Atletico Madrid puts forward a plan to win titles. The fans and the management both want to win the league and the Champions League.”

When asked about Atletico forward Antoine Griezmann, he said: “I think that Griezmann is currently one of the best players in the world and his decision to stay at Atletico could strengthen the team’s chances of winning titles and competing for the Champions League.”

He added: “Atletico Madrid have some very good young players in all the age categories. Toni Moya is a really capable player and will be my successor in the team.”

Gabi was also asked about Spain’s performance at the recently concluded 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. “The World Cup in Russia was very difficult because all the teams have improved. The new coach Luis Enrique has had some excellent results with Barcelona and I wish him good luck with the national team.”

The Spanish league has just lost Cristiano Ronaldo after the Portuguese star moved to Italian side Juventus, and Gabi had his say about this: “Cristiano is a huge player and he has moved from one big club in Spain to another big club in Italy. He will look to win the Champions League with Juventus and he will be a great addition to the Italian league.”

As for whether Ronaldo or Messi is the best player in the world, Gabi said: “For me, the best in the world now is Griezmann!”

Gabi concluded his talk by saying: “My goal is to always play to win and this is what we are working towards at Al-Sadd, as we go in search of titles.”