Tuesday’s double whammy of both Catalan newspaper releasing interviews with Hector Bellerin created something of a stir. Both Sport and Mundo Deportivo carried quotes from the Arsenal player which put his future in some doubt.
Although there was later claim from social media that the quotes were fabricated, and the newspapers had made it all up, it was clear everything was genuine, with video and photo evidence to back both newspapers up.
On Wednesday Sport have released more quotes from Bellerin, this time of a more personal nature. The Arsenal player once again touched upon living on his own, since his family returned to Spain for personal reasons.
Bellerin says one of the things he misses most is “being with my parents after games, it’s something I’ve done since childhood. I like to share these moments with them. Everything is more difficult if they are not with you.”
Sport believe the call of Barcelona and a return home is very strong for Bellerin, but it’s worth noting they haven’t given too much prominence to claims he’s already agreed a return.
We’re in Spanish radio season, a time of year which sees many big claims come every week but few of which ever turn into anything. Sport have covered comments from RAC1 which claim Bellerin has agreed terms on a return to Barcelona, but it’s not being given the coverage one may expect. It’s probably not worth worrying about, but Bellerin missing his family is.
He’s still fully adapted to London, and when Sport quizzed him on the recent terror attacks, the defender said he often goes to the places involved, before adding: “When it happens it is something that hurts and scares a little, but everyone must go on with their lives. We cannot live in fear or stop going out on the street. It would be a victory in their favour.”
Bellerin also spoke about his tattoos, telling Sport: “I have tattoos related to my life and family. From my grandmother, my cousin, my mother, my sister…”
This is a 22 year old hugely connected to his family, and clearly missing living with them in London. One of the tattoos Bellerin showed off to Sport features a map of England with London written across it, and a map of Spain with Barcelona on. Between the two it says ‘Always Together’, but, without his family with him, Bellerin is clearly feeling the distance.
