Rioja: “This renewal shows the confidence Valencia CF have in me”  

Rioja gave his first interview since his contract extension through to 2027 was announced, and spoke about his desire to show why the club are right to renew his deal.

The contract extension

“I'm very happy. I'm very happy to be able to spend another year with all of you, with this amazing fanbase, with this great club, and with this great dressing room we've created. It was something I wanted, something I was hoping for, and I hope I can repay that trust that has been shown in me.”

What the deal means

“In the end, I think that when a player renews, or when a player has as much desire as I did to continue playing for the club, it gives value to everything. For me, there's something very important, which is the day-to-day life here, coming to the training ground happy, coming here pleased to do my job, and being able to have that good atmosphere with my teammates. I think that's something to keep in mind for the present and the future. It’s an honour to represent Valencia CF and all of the fans.”

The existing renewal clause

“I had a few games left before I was automatically renewed, and there was a lot of speculation about how many that was. I could tell you now, with no problem at all, but the club spoke with me, conveyed the idea of cancelling that figure for the games, removing that clause, and making it a fixed year's contract. In the end, it speaks very highly of their attitude towards me, because they've placed their trust in me in this situation. As I said before, I'll try to repay that trust as I always have, which is with hard work and giving my absolute best effort and commitment, so that things work out. I will have the best attitude so that these objectives we have are met, and that this project succeeds.”

The style of play at Valencia CF

“Ultimately, I feel very closely connected to the style of play that we have. I think we have an entertaining approach, even though the results haven't been there yet, but I'm sure the team are taking that next step, and we're going to make the fans enjoy themselves a lot. That's something with which I also identify."

Carlos Corberán’s influence

“The coach was involved in this early renewal. I think he's showing his confidence in me by agreeing to let me stay another year under him. The fact that he wants me to stay for this season and the upcoming campaign is something that also motivates me. That also fills me with pride, because it means he's happy with my work, and all I can say is that I'm going to try to perform at my best and give it my all.”

The new sporting structure

“I think they're looking for a structure to help, to try to find this feeling that is transmitted from the team to the fans. We will also try to help them so that this project moves forward, since we are also the most interested in seeing all of this grow, in being able to transmit that enthusiasm to the fans, and in the end, what matters here is what happens on the pitch. We will try to facilitate it so that all these projects they have work out as much as possible.”

The fans

“The fans have shown me that affection, that respect for my work and my profession, from the very beginning. I think that's very important; not only for me in this case, but also for my family. In the end, having that stability, feeling loved, going out onto the pitch and knowing that people are behind you, helps a lot -both in your performance and in terms of working in the happiest way possible.  I think we owe the fans a lot for the way they've treated us. I try to help as much as I can; I want the fans to feel a connection with both me and the team.”

Feeling at home in Valencia

“I think it's not just about Valencia Club de Fútbol, but also the city. In the end, I've been very lucky to surround myself with wonderful people. I think they make my day-to-day life outside of training and here at the Ciudad Deportiva, and also in my personal life, what it is.

My wife is happy, my daughter is very happy. We're expecting our second daughter now. I think there's no better way to have the children than here in this great city. because they make us feel at home, they bring us closer to our family environment, and I think that for someone like me, who has a growing family, it's something very beautiful and very special to be able to feel that affection from so many people.”