“Asian football fans are special, always,” the legendary Spanish soccer player said in Jakarta, during his visit to promote the International Youth Championship 2021 in Indonesia.

Soccer aficionados might still remember how Real Madrid reigned in Europe in the early millennium, when it grabbed consecutive UEFA Champions League titles in 2000 and 2002. One of the most notable players who helped the squad triumph then was its right back, Míchel Salgado.

Though he retired as a professional player a decade ago, Salgado has continued to contribute to the game in other roles. Most recently, the 46-year-old visited Jakarta to promote this year’s International Youth Championship (IYC), a friendly club tournament for male players under the age of 20 (U-20) that was held from April 13 to 19.

“I am used to the hassle with flight and time zone change. It doesn’t affect me,” Salgado said. “In the end, when you arrive in Indonesia, all the things related to traveling and jet lag mean nothing because you feel the love of the people.”

Below is an excerpt from his interview with The Jakarta Post on April 18, when he spoke about this new chapter in his career and about his former club.

Life after retirement: Former Real Madrid and Spain's national team player Michel Salgado has been involved in numerous activities since his retirement from soccer career. (Courtesy by Wulan Kusuma Wardhani) (JP/Wulan Kusuma Wardhani)

JP: Why were you interested in helping to organize the IYC? You were also present at the same tournament in 2019.

Míchel Salgado: Because of so many reasons. I am involved in all kinds of football organizations. I am trying to pay back what football gave to me. That’s the first thing. Then I found the right people in Indonesia to [help develop] a special tournament. I want to make this U-20 tournament one of the best in the world. And we found the real reason, which is that the next U-20 World Cup will be organized in Indonesia. And of course, proving to people that the country is ready for that is something that matters to us.

Why does the public need to know that the country is ready for the U-20 World Cup?

I want to make it clear, that the Indonesian people and fans need to understand how difficult it is to organize a tournament like this. These kids are 17 to 18 years old, who will take the next step into [professional soccer].

Have there been any complaints from the players regarding their tight schedules?

No. Actually, the Real Madrid [U-18 team] was scheduled to come here. The problem was, at the last minute the [Spanish soccer] federation put the final four of the [Junior] King’s Cup schedule on the same date as our tournament. But they were more than happy [to participate] because they were the [reigning] champion.

In the end, yes, it’s tough for the players because of humidity and jet lag. If you remember, in the first game there were a lot of players with cramps, which was not usual. But they made a big effort to come here because they love the country and the tournament.

Soccer legend: Former Spanish footballer Michel Salgado (L), his wife Malula and son Miguel arrive for the draw for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center on April 1, 2022. (AFP/FRANCK FIFE)

The last time you played professionally was in 2012 with the Blackburn Rovers, and you currently live in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE). What do you do there?

I signed a contract [as a commentator] with a Qatar TV station, but I live in Dubai. I was also offered to be the director of a football academy [in Dubai].

Are you still a director at that academy?

No. I have my own club [Fursan Hispania]. We got promoted two days ago [April 16] to the first division of the United Arab Emirates competition. Our idea is to go to the [UAE] Pro League in four years.

Is the football environment in the UAE that same as in Indonesia?

It’s different. We are trying to make it better, of course. But you can’t compare the craziness of the fans here with that of the UAE. The fans here are special [laughs]. Asian football fans are special, always. They are so passionate.

Real Madrid will play against Manchester City on April 27 in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League semifinals. The club played very well in the match on April 18 against Sevilla (18/4) even though they conceded goals in the first half. In an interview in February, coach Carlo Ancelotti said that sometimes, the club’s performance was unstable in the first half, and then they make a comeback in the second half. Is this concerning?

No, it’s not concerning. They are close to winning the league. The result from yesterday’s match, with the comeback [three goals in the second half] giving them “90 percent of the league title”. It’s only six games to go. With yesterday’s result, the league is over for Real Madrid.

And in the Champions League, yes, the performance has been unstable, but in the end, it was not easy to beat Chelsea or Paris Saint Germain [PSG] like they did. Now, they are in the semifinal against City. They have the momentum. Momentum is about winning in the end. And I think the momentum of Real Madrid right now is amazing when they play against any other teams. I think, even though any team starts beating Real Madrid in the first half, they know that Madrid will come back [in the second half].

In the Champions League, the last four will be tough. We are talking about Manchester City, which is an amazing and a great team, with [coach] Pep Guardiola. They play amazing football. But Madrid were able to knock out PSG and Chelsea.

For charity: Real Madrid's defender Michel Salgado (R) vies with Liverpool's midfielder Harry Kewell during the "El Corazon Classic" charity football match Real Madrid Legends vs Liverpool Legends at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on June 14, 2015. (AFP/ PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU)

In the last call-up to Spain’s national team, there was only one Real Madrid player, Dani Carvajal. What are your thoughts on this?

It’s very normal that the national team coach is not calling many Real Madrid players. Nacho [defender José Ignacio Fernández] doesn’t always play because [Éder] Militão [is starter].

Some people think that Spanish players in the Real Madrid youth academy are not as good as they’ve been in the past. What do you think?

The problem is, the path to the senior team is not easy. Why? Because ... you know, Real Madrid has been signing a lot of big players and most of them are not Spanish. So, if they sign foreign players, it is more difficult for Spanish young players [to advance]. But I am telling you, I know that young Spanish players in Real Madrid are good.

Striker Karim Benzema’s performance has been exceptional this season. But he’s 34. Do you think the club should sign another striker to strengthen the attacking line for next season?

I think [Kylian] Mbappe would be one of the big signings for Real Madrid next season. Madrid can’t unveil all the plans they have in their mind. But for sure, right now, Benzema is one of our big assets. He has been crucial for us to be where we are right now. So, we have to respect him. But in the end, we have Rodrygo [Silva de Goes], who is still 21 years old, Vinicius [also 21], and to me, the big one is gonna be Mbappe.

Do you have any plans to return to coaching? The last time you coached was as assistant coach of Egypt’s national team.

It was a good experience for me as an assistant. Am I going to come back to my coaching career? You never know. The only thing I can say is that you cannot say no to Real Madrid if they call you [up] as a coach or director. That’s the only answer I can give you [laughs].