The Atletico Madrid midfielder will face Inter in the Champions League: “We’ve been the only ones able to eliminate them in the last three years. My unconventional ideas? My teammates are curious…”
No. Marcos Llorente is not a footballer like the others. And for many reasons. The first is genetic: the concept of following in his father’s footsteps is very reductive in his case. His father is Paco Llorente, who spent seven years at Madrid. But his mother, Maria Angela, who played basketball at a high level, is the daughter of Ramon Grosso, a legend of the club blanco with whom he won six European Cups. And then there is his uncle, Julio Llorente, and Marcos is the great-grandson of the legendary Paco Gento and his brothers Antonio and Julio, not to mention his Llorente uncles from basketball. In short, he has a unique pedigree. Marcos is also unique on the field: he left Madrid because he was blocked by Casemiro, but then at Atletico he played as number 8 and number 7. And for some time now, with Simeone and the national team, he has been playing as number 2. Finally, there is his lifestyle, which has brought him into the spotlight for behavior that some consider eccentric, others crazy, and others interesting. Walking around shirtless in the middle of winter, red lights in his home, glasses with yellow or red lenses depending on the time of day and where he is, the Paleolithic diet, fasting at night… these are some of the things that govern Marcos’ life.
Let me defend myself: I am almost twice her age and I sleep well. My circadian rhythms, so dear to her, are good.
“Well, I’m happy for you. Sleep is essential.”
Is the earth?
“Round, or spherical. I’m not a flat-earther. I’ve never said that, but someone attributed it to me because I have different habits from others.“
But you are concerned about chemtrails.
”Of course.“
Do you really think they have increased and have a negative effect?
”Absolutely, but I’m not here to convince anyone.”
You avoid creams and defend the benefits of sunlight. Aren’t you afraid of the negative consequences that are so often talked about?
“No, not at all. Skin cancer can affect those who expose themselves to the sun as well as those who live in a cave. I don’t see a direct relationship. I’m more concerned about the ultraviolet lamps that many people use or used; those are dangerous, but natural light is not. I’ve been sunbathing without protection for 20 years, and my father for 40.“
You are against sunglasses.
”That’s right. Obviously, if you stare at the sun, you’ll fry your eyes, but if you walk around without sunglasses, it’s only beneficial for your eyes.“
He advocates the Paleolithic diet, and therefore eats meat. This is another topic of heated debate.
”Of course. The problem isn’t the cow, but what it eats. If it feeds on grass in an open field, there’s no problem. If you offer me hyper-processed meat at $2 a pound, that’s not good, but you can’t lump everything together.“
In all this, while defending your principles, you adapt to the lives of others, right?
”Of course. When I’m on retreat, here with the national team or with Atletico, it’s not like I can eat whenever I want or only what I want. You can have dinner after sunset. You need balance, because that’s the only way to happiness. Let’s say I follow my lifestyle 300-310 days a year. Then there are times to celebrate, to have fun, and you don’t have to go crazy.”
Are you surprised that your statements are causing such a stir?
“No. I have clear ideas and I follow my own path. If anyone is interested, I’m available. Otherwise, they can follow their own path. The problem is that what I say goes against what we’ve always been told, and that bothers people, but I repeat, it’s not my problem.”
You say you like wine. When did you discover it?
“Let’s say that a couple of years ago I started drinking more carefully and enjoying it more. I used to buy watches, but since you can’t wear them on the street anymore, I spend my money on wine. It has a wonderful social function: a bottle brings together great values, friendship, family, affection, and sentiment.“
Geographical preferences?
”I really like France, there are interesting things in America, in Italy I would say Case Basse di Soldera as well as Conterno’s Monfortino Barolo. And Masseto, of course. I really like older vintages of Sassicaia; the 1985 is one of my absolute favorites. You have some great wines. Are you familiar with them?”
Yes, of course. But I don’t have the same financial firepower as you to enjoy them frequently. Shall we talk about soccer?
“As you wish.”
The national team?
“I like being there, but I’m not sad if they don’t call me. That said, coming here and being able to enjoy this fantastic group, training and playing with the best from every club is unique, a marvel. You learn so much.”
Do your teammates ask you about your life?
“Yes, some are more curious, some want to find out and listen. Then everyone makes their own decisions.”
And Atletico?
“Pretty good. We need to start imposing ourselves away from the Metropolitano. We’re strong at home, but we need to improve away. We won in Seville against Betis, a tough opponent, so that’s the line to follow.“
And Inter, your next Champions League rival?
”A great team, top-level individual players, a consolidated group, a recognizable style of play that hasn’t changed with the new coach. Like us, they lost two Champions League finals in three years between 2014 and 2016. They have very clear ideas and have won four out of four games in this Champions League. It will be a great game, very open, and we’ll have to give our all to beat them.“
Like a year and a half ago.
”Yes. That double challenge in 2024 confirmed the great beauty of soccer, a sport in which the favorite or the team that arrives in better shape does not always win. They were flying, we were struggling, but we went through. Atletico has been the only team capable of eliminating Inter from the Champions League in the last three years.”
