The Buffalo’ is back. After four ACL surgeries on his right knee – one ended his Colombia 2016 participation, another ruled him out of Lithuania 2021, and another threatened his Uzbekistan 2024 participation – Sergio Lozano returned to action in February and, despite a thigh injury thereafter, made Fede Vidal’s squad for the 10th FIFA Futsal World Cup™.
Named the Best Player in the World in 2013, the 35-year-old is now out to help Spain end a 20-year wait for the trophy.
You injured your thigh on 15 May. Did that leave you worried you wouldn’t make it to Uzbekistan 2024?
Sergio Lozano: At the time, I was thinking that I wouldn’t be able to help Barça in the play-offs – I wasn’t thinking about the World Cup just yet. I wanted to finish the season on a high note. Fede, the coach, has always trusted me since I injured my knee over than a year ago. He always wanted me to be here so that I could help the group, and the truth is that this trust has definitely led me to be here today.
How tough was it mentally dealing with all the ACL injuries?
Mentally, this has been a tough and complicated process over the last few years. I have had to deal with all my injuries, climb back to the top, get seriously injured again, fall back down and have to climb back up again. I have had to work on this with my therapist. It was hard work, but I also tried to enjoy the process. I didn’t want to come here because I was Sergio Lozano or because I had done something in the world of futsal. I wanted to be here on merit.
How crucial is it to prepare as a group before a World Cup?
The group is very important. There is more than a month until the World Cup starts. Apart from working on tactics, the playing style or what Fede wants us to improve upon, we have to create a strong group. I am currently one of the most seasoned players, and I’ve been in the national team for quite a few years, so it’s my turn now. This has to be the goal: a good, close-knit group, everyone having a good time and, from there, we can dream. That doesn’t guarantee you success, but it brings you closer to it.
How do you approach a third World Cup at the age of 35?
I’m more experienced. I had a very good World Cup in 2012, and then suffered a very serious injury at the World Cup in Colombia. I was ready for the next one but couldn’t make it because of my anterior cruciate ligament injury. I’m treating this one as if I’m a newcomer. I’m really looking forward to the World Cup, to helping the squad and getting that feeling back. I want to shake off the feeling of being stretchered off at the World Cup in Colombia and hopefully I will be able to enjoy it. That’s the main thing. As for the rest, we’ll have to earn victories on the court. Whether we win or lose, at least we’ll be there and have enjoyable moments.
You still seem as excited as you did 12 years ago…
It’s probably one of the main reasons why I’ve come back to play. After four operations on the same knee, if you don’t have that enthusiasm to play again, to continue enjoying yourself on the court, you wouldn’t make it back. At times it was really tough, full of pain and suffering. It’s worth going through all of that to represent Spain in a World Cup. I am full of nervous energy because I want to do well.
Spain are among the title contenders…
Futsal has become much more evenly matched. I’ll be honest and say that, for me, Brazil and Portugal are the two favourites. Then there’s a group of contenders with Spain, Morocco, Iran and Argentina. There are also many teams that can cause a surprise. Being favourites or contenders doesn’t guarantee anything, but I think we have what it takes to beat any team. I have no doubt about that. We are not among the main favourites based on our recent tournaments, and there’s nothing wrong with that. That doesn’t mean you are not going to win, just that other teams have earned that right to be the main favourites. We have to work hard, enjoy the ride, build a solid core so that when the difficult moments come, the strength of the squad will shine through.
Spain’s group-stage opponents are Kazakhstan, New Zealand and Libya. What do you think of these three initial challenges?
We would be wrong to think beyond the group stage. Plus, we have been handed a very tough opener. Kazakhstan made it to the semi-finals of the last World Cup, played very well, and have been competing at the highest level and going far in tournaments. They know what they are up against and have experience. It’s going to be a tough fixture. We have to treat it as a challenge. We have to try to come out on top. That is the key. We are getting ready for them.
What’s left for you at professional level? A World Cup title seems the only thing that could enhance your CV…
As far as titles are concerned, the only thing left for me to win is a World Cup. I’m really excited about the challenge. But I’m not thinking about what I need to do to make history and complete the set of trophies. I’m thinking about winning the World Cup so the whole Spain squad can enjoy it, all the people who have worked hard for this for many years can be rewarded.
How many times have you dreamed of becoming world champion?
Lots! Personally, I love to visualise things before I go to sleep or whenever I feel like it. I can picture what I want to happen. Of course I have been imagining lifting the trophy in Uzbekistan for the last few years. I was so excited about trying to do so in Lithuania, but I didn’t make it in time and I still have that thorn in my side. Now I want to play in Uzbekistan, enjoy every single moment and dream. It’s free to dream and we need every last ounce of hope to become champions. We must keep our feet on the ground.
