The city of Ceuta Ceuta will have its team back in professional football next season, 45 years later. After a season in which the Ceuta team dominated Group 2 with an iron fist... Primera FederaciónEspecially from November onwards, the team achieved promotion and became the absolute champion of the third tier of Spanish football after defeating the team in the champions' final. Cultural Leonesa, the other team that achieved promotion to LaLiga Hypermotion directly. One of the main protagonists of AD Ceuta's achievement is one of the members of the #EmartSoccerFamily, Pedro López (Mérida, January 20, 1995) who has only conceded 14 goals in 20 games in group II. The goalkeeper from Extremadura, who played in LaLiga ’s relationship with the Real Betis In the 2013-14 and 2017-18 seasons, he explains how this past season has been and all the work and setbacks he has had to endure to return to professional football.
Congratulations on the promotion and for being crowned champions of the Primera RFEF. Is this the best season of your career?
Collectively without a doubt, and individually I would say so too if I analyze all the matches I have played, even though due to circumstances I have not been able to participate in as many as last season.
After 45 years, it will have been a huge celebration for the city of Ceuta.
It's been absolutely crazy for the whole city, and that's made everything even more significant for the players. If the city were used to success, it wouldn't be this big a deal. They've made it clear to us that what we've done and how we've done it is historic.
"I have always believed that I could be in LaLiga Hypermotion because of my abilities and my level"
A hard-fought and well-deserved award
Have you ever seen your promotion threatened?
In the first half of the season, there were some bad moments where we couldn't see ourselves. We knew we had the level to compete for the playoffs, but from then on... ChristmasWith the reinforcements we received, who helped us a lot, the team climbed the standings and improved our play. It's clear that we went 24 games unbeaten since November, an absolutely incredible feat; it will be a long time before anyone surpasses that number.
14 goals conceded in 20 games, ten clean sheets, and the goalkeeper with the fewest goals against in Group II of the Primera RFEF, plus several weeks nominated for save of the week. You're definitely a LaLiga Hypermotion player.
Personally, I've always believed in and trusted my abilities and my level, that I could easily compete at this level. With the numbers from this past season and last, it's clear that I have the talent and that I just needed that little bit of luck to get promoted so I could prove it.
After leaving Real Betis, a season with Deportivo's reserve team where things weren't going very well, and then back to the real world: outside of reserve teams and the environment of professional football clubs. Did you ever feel your return to professional football was in jeopardy?
No, I've simply had several setbacks throughout my career, like many of my colleagues. Sometimes, due to circumstances beyond your control, you can't be on a certain team or in a certain category, and I've had to swim against the tide many times. When I was at my best in the Burgos CFWith the option of making the playoffs, came the COVID-19; when I have to do a transition year in the CF Villanovense I am the best goalkeeper in the category; the year the Primera Federación I signed a four-year contract for the UD Extremadura I had an important project close to home and it was a spectacular opportunity, but after six months we didn't get paid and the club disappeared; I had to rejoin the following year in the UD Sanse...again taking a step back to stand out... After that year I had the option to go to Real Murcia and other teams, including the AD CeutaI placed my bet on him thinking that in one, two, or three years I could make the leap to professional football, trusting in my ability and the club's project, and it's worked out well. Did I ever think it was slipping away? I might have thought it was getting very difficult, but when you have the talent, you work hard, and you give it your all, in most cases life or football ends up doing you justice.
"I've had to swim against the current many times, I've always given my all, and now you value much more the sacrifice you and your family make."
A job that has borne fruit
And so, your opportunity has finally arrived. What does it mean to you?
A great reward for the eight years I've worked since leaving the reserve team of Real Betis And everything that happens to me happens. Everything has its reward, everything in life has its price, you can't give up or quit at the first sign of trouble, you have to keep going; I've always held my head high and had a clear conscience, whether this moment came or not. I've always given it my all, done everything possible, and in the end, I achieved it. It's a relief after all this; you value so much more all the sacrifices you and your family make. I have a great sense of personal satisfaction.
What role has Emart&Soccer played in your journey?
I've been with the agency for three years. I have Daniel Fernández (representative of Emart&Soccer) as an advisor and the first person I tell everything to, both the good and the bad. We tell each other things exactly as we think them, and that's always appreciated.
You're returning to professional football, which you already experienced with Real Betis..
I made my debut against the Real Valladolid At 19, and then I never played with the first team again. Real Betis until four years later. After being promoted to Second Division B After spending half a season on loan with the reserve team, in 2018 I was called up to the first team due to injuries to the first two goalkeepers. Antoni Adán y Dani Gimenez, and made his second debut with a goalless draw in the Metropolitan WandaAfter that, I play in the Benito Villamarín against Málaga CF, a match we won and which mathematically qualified us for the Europa League, game in San Mamés and at home the derby against Sevilla FCFor a 23-year-old who's been with the club since he was 15, that's the ultimate achievement. What's more, we drew and finished the league above [the other team]. Sevilla FC!
"I want to continue enjoying football in the Second Division, and if it can be higher, all the better."
His next sporting goal
What does Pedro López expect from the next season?
I expect a tough, complicated season; it's going to be one of the second These are the most complicated years, but I hope we can build a competitive team, enjoy the league, learn, and achieve our goal of staying up.
For those who don't know you, what can they expect from Pedro López next season in LaLiga Hypermotion??
I think I'm a goalkeeper who's very good with his feet, it's one of my main strengths; the coach I have now at the AD Ceuta, Jose Juan Romero He helped me improve that aspect when I was in the reserve team of Real BetisI like to play outside the box and be more of a center-back, so to speak. Between the posts, I'm quick and have good reflexes, and I'm quite reliable in the air because of my height.
You still have years ahead of you in the world of football, but what do you still have left to achieve?
I want to continue enjoying football at the level I believe I deserve. I've taken the leap to Second division And at the very least, I want to enjoy this level; if it can be higher, all the better. I believe I have the skill, that I'm at a good age, and I take care of myself to last for many more years.
