Direct Narration and Statistics
Ancelotti "My grandfather lived through the First World War, my father the Second... It's a horror"
Stole Dimitrievski (Kumanovo, North Macedonia, 1993) is not motivated by luxury cars.
He is a discreet guy whose tastes go elsewhere.
They say that recently he spent 4,000 euros on a coffee machine and was proud of his purchase.
“Coffee is one of the great passions I have outside of football.
I usually take a couple of them every day.
I am exploring and getting to know many coffee places, ”reveals the Macedonian goalkeeper, sitting with EL MUNDO on one of the benches at the Ciudad Deportiva del Rayo Vallecano.
It's Thursday and the planet is in shock after Russia's attack on the heart of Ukraine.
War.
That cursed word that his family suffered live.
A few hours ago Russia has bombed Ukraine.
Again the war... Today these things should not happen.
It really is about politics.
I can't say much more because I'm focused on football, which is my job. What did they tell you about that Balkan War? My family and my immediate environment suffered a lot from the war.
Some acquaintances fought.
They were all sad about the separation from Yugoslavia.
My father told me that that was a very important country.
That things were fine, that people were happy.
With work, with many things.
But when that country broke up, all those generations had a hard time.
They were all sad about the fracture of Yugoslavia, but we have come out ahead.
Now our country [North Macedonia] and all the Balkan countries are improving.
His story begins in the city of Kumanovo. Yes, I spent 14 years of my life there and took my first steps as a footballer.
It is a very important place for me.
All my childhood memories, ever since I kicked my first ball, are from Kumanovo.
It was a very sincere stage, very happy, where I truly enjoyed football.
Stole Dimitrievski, during the interview with EL MUNDO.ÁNGEL NAVARRETE
Dimi
, as they call him in the locker room, gets along with impeccable Spanish.
The language, as is often the case with the Balkans, was not a problem for him.
"It was so easy.
When I arrived [18 years old], I only knew how to say 'let's go' and 'why'.
We have more facility for languages.
But the secret is to integrate, listen, share... It took me only three months to start speaking well».
On the other hand, the distance with his family did weigh on him.
His bond with his sister, today one of his pillars, came late.
«When I left home I was 14 years old and my sister was only seven.
She has been growing and we have improved our relationship.
Today I am discovering things about her that I did not know.
That distance is the toll to caress sleep.
Her father was also a footballer.
«The players from the Balkan countries who come to Spain have a very bad time.
You have to separate yourself from your family and you pay that price to be professional.
In a normal family, where everyone lives together, it doesn't happen."
Was he born a goalkeeper or did he become a goalkeeper? I started as a central defender, but one day a goalkeeper was missing for a match and I got under the sticks.
I liked it, it seemed good to me and I'm still there.
Now I love it.
In Italy (Udinese), he had the opportunity to chat with his idol.
«
Buffon
seemed like a great person.
I always liked his calmness and his elegance in goal.
He has been and is a reference for me ».
He debuted in the First Division with Granada.
Was it a disappointment not to continue there? Granada's politics at that time were difficult.
They bought young players, revalued them and sold them.
When Caparrós arrived with Luis Llopis, who today is a Madrid goalkeeping coach, they gave me the opportunity to debut in the First Division (20 years old).
But the club had a policy and we did not reach an agreement. And Rayo appears.
What does this team mean to you? It is the biggest, most valuable and important team in my career.
My dream was to play more than 20 games in the elite and enjoy every weekend.
That's what the Lightning has allowed me.
That's why I didn't go, despite having offers.
He wanted to return Rayo to First Division and make history here. How long will he continue at Rayo? I'm calm.
I want the season to end well and achieve our goal.
The club is growing and why not stay to grow here.
In the end, football is very complicated and something can happen in all markets.
I'm happy here, although we have to improve a lot and make the club grow more.
I hope to continue for several more years.
Stole Dimitrievski, during the interview with EL MUNDO.ÁNGEL NAVARRETE
It is the face of the wall that this afternoon, barring unforeseen events, will defend Vallecas' goal against Madrid.
"Why don't we go beat them?
We already did it here with Barcelona », he warns.
Barça, by the way, seriously sighed for him this winter.
A guy who loves to drop by the neighborhood of
Malasaña
.
Someone who, at 28 years old, defines himself as old in some aspects of life, such as finding a partner.
"Football is my life.
I love soccer and I can spend all day watching soccer.
I'm not bored by one of any division or league.
When it comes to women, I'm very traditional.
Something old.
I also like to dress in classic vintage fashion.
Before there was much more respect and more value was given to things.
Nor is he one of those who are in the habit of arguing.
"I don't like it. I have my opinion, obviously, but only if they are people close to me, people who are important to me, I share it. Always calmly. Although I like talking to people, I am a very calm person."
He does not hide that playing the World Cup with North Macedonia, with the playoff coming up (in March against Italy), would be his dream: «It would motivate a lot of people in my country.
It would be the most important achievement of my life with the national team."
Word of Stole Dimitrievski.
Conforms to The Trust Project criteria
Know more
Real Madrid
Vallecano Ray
soccer
LaLigaRulli stops Real Madrid
LaLigaLopetegui and his strongest Sevilla want to dream big
LaLigaEl Madrid and the lessons for Paris: Marcelo, the pressure, Bale and "the coach's hand"
See links of interest
Last News
Translator
What
Work calendar 2022
Zenit Saint Petersburg - Barca
Milan - Udinese
TSG Hoffenheim - VfB Stuttgart
Levante - Elche
Almeria - Fuenlabrada