Olive Press: Spain’s Football Team Doctor talks about the importance of playing at your peak.

Jon Clarke, who is starting a new health column exclusively for the Olive Press talks with Claudio Colomo, the doctor of Spain’s National Football Team, about the pressures and stress involved in keeping the No. 1 team on the planet fit, especially as the World Cup approaches.

It is 8.40am, during the recent break in international relations. Claudio Vazquez Colomo, Spain’s head doctor begins to finish our interview.

It’s easy to see the pressure that he is under. He has already pushed it back an hour due to a last minute emergency.

An orthopedic surgeon by trade, he’s got to take one of his young stars for an MRI scan and, given the current heated debate on Spain’s La Liga teams using players ‘too young’, it’s more contentious than ever.

“He felt an annoyance and we fear for the worst,” he says from his Madrid office, the headquarters of the Spanish FA. “We need to go to the hospital and have it checked.”

He doesn’t want to reveal who it is (the details will be revealed at a press event later in the day), but he does give a hint. He smiles.

I know immediately that it is Dean Huijsen. He grew up in Costa del Sol. At 20 he has just started playing for Real Madrid after a year at Bournemouth.

My kids have known him since they were in local schools. Donny, his father, has been a frequent visitor to one of his Marbella businesses, Costa Jump. I’ve closely tracked his progress.

Claudio, who is wearing his Spain tracksuit at an unusually early hour for interviews, confirms, “He’s a remarkable talent.” “Quite unlike anyone else, especially growing up in Marbella. 

“The speed at which he rose up the ladder is impressive. It is amazing to see how tall and fast he is. He is also very calm and strong mentally.

“I’m talking about his first national team game, which was played against the Netherlands last year. They are a very strong team. The opposition was all over him the moment he received the ball. “But he took everything in his stride. He had a wonderful, fantastic game.”

He continued: “But being young, of course we are under such pressure to protect him. We don’t want anything like the problems we’ve seen with Pedri or others in recent seasons.”

He is ultimately responsible for his actions.

In charge of an incredible 27 Spanish national teams (including the women’s and youth squads) it is up to Doctor Claudio to make the final decision on whether a player is fit enough to play for his country…or even be on the training pitch.

It’s a job that comes with a lot of pressure, which is not surprising since the Spanish national team is the current world number one and will probably enter the World Cup on the American continent as the favourites.

It’s his second year in the job at the Real Federacion Española de Futbol (RFEF) and it means he’s away working with the team for many months of the year – an incredible 46 consecutive days alone at the Euros last year!

He continues, “It is a full-on role that requires you to commit yourself fully.” “It is a pleasure to work alongside some of the best sportsmen on earth. Yamal is one of those players that only comes around once in your lifetime. “To see them up close and get to understand them is fantastic.”

Claudio is speaking to Olive Press He is writing a new exciting column for us on how to stay fit in middle age.

Traumatologist and specialist in hips, shoulders, and knees, he knows better than anyone how to stay healthy and prevent injuries.

His English is excellent, and he developed it during his time in Canada. He received most of his medical education in English.

He explains, “Prevention and good practices are the key to everything.” Diet is becoming increasingly important to the young athletes I work with. Nutritionists are present at 99% of sports teams. Players like David Villa from Barcelona have stated that his career would have been extended by two or three more years if he had a better diet.

He goes on to say that everyone has a slightly different diet, and that a healthy diet is all about a well-balanced one.

Surprisingly he doesn’t rule out chocolate or bread, albeit in small quantities and meat is ‘very important’ for protein.

“Meat is essential for sportsmen, and ranges are very important, especially when they’re on camp,” says Almeria-based father of four.

Communication is a key aspect of his role, and he must have a good working relationship with clubs.

“We want to protect players first and foremost.” We will never take risks and clubs must have faith in us. We know about any little niggles that they may have, and we will send them updates each day. If you want to be exact, we can even send the minutes.

He continued: “The clubs are aware that players want to come here, especially during the Euros and World Cup. It is also good for clubs to have players in the national team.

It is also fantastic that we are the number one team in the world, so who wouldn’t like to play here?”

On top of that he says the current squad is a ‘really nice group’ who come from all around Spain and are playing all over the world, many in the UK, such as Pedro Porro, Mikel Merino and David Raya.

He says, “They enjoy playing with old buddies and returning home.” 

Above all, they are the ‘most amazing’ group of players, but apart from being good players they need ‘1000 other details’.

You need to be committed, responsible, have a team spirit, and mentally strong. You have to be able a fit in a big family. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are all shared. Two days, or three. You must be able handle the pressure. If you lack these details, you will not reach the highest level.

I’ve seen many players fail to reach the top because they lack this.

“There is only 3% talent in players like Messi Ronadlo Lamin who don’t even need the other factors. “Most players must have all of the other factors.”

What do you think about the bad behavior we’ve seen in the past with the English National Football Team, with players like Paul Gasgoigne.

Claudio insists, “They never drink alcohol anymore.” “They’re so disciplined today.” They can drink a beer if we win a match. But the atmosphere is very different than in the 80s or 90s. The intensity and the speed are completely different. They focus on nutrition, sleep, muscle strength, and speed. They are aware that alcohol can have a negative impact on things. They want to stay in top shape so they avoid alcohol.

The Spanish team is focusing on sleep these days.

“Winning down is important. We have a specialist in sleeping disorders working with us right now. 

You don’t necessarily need to sleep eight hours. Some people can sleep for only six hours. Rest is important for everyone.

Rest is essential to a successful performance. We’re trying to make some changes, like turning off your phone before bed. Better lighting, reading, etc. It will be a big difference.”

Why did I become a doctor??

Claudio was inspired to become an orthopedic surgeon when, as a child, he worked at the local hospital of Jaen.

He arrived in 1965 from the Dominican Republic after a revolutionary uprising and met his future wife at Granada University.

“When I was 8 or 9 years old, I remember a young man who had a dislocated arm. In a split-second my father fixed it. The pain was gone in just three seconds.

Why Live in Southern Spain?

“I’ve always wanted to become an orthopedic surgeon and work in the south. After a year spent in Oviedo, I received my residency in Almeria. Almeria has a great climate and is close to the beach. I also knew some of their doctors. After that, I met my wife who is a pediatrician. We have four children. We have four kids, aged 13, 11, 8, and 5, and love going to nearby beaches and places such Cabo Gata. Good food, nice wines and wine are essential to a good lifestyle.

Diet is important for health

The importance of nutrition is now so great that we have an entire unit in the medical department. We analyze the food that each player consumes and provide them with individual strategies. We prepare daily special bags for players. In 2008, only 5 percent of teams had nutritionists. By 2025, this number will be 99%. 

The role of the national football doctor for Spain

My job is very different from a club physician. We work with healthy, fit players who train at their clubs a couple days before a game. About 12% are injured in any given season. The risk per player in a single season is 1,9. Almost twice as much per season.

Start too early

There are so many young players who are already playing at the highest levels of play at 18 years of age. In football, basketball, tennis, and volleyball, young players are at high risk of injury. We must be very careful, especially when it comes to preventing injuries. 

Veterans all know their bodies. They know what their bodies are capable of. We have to teach young players about sleeping, eating, and their environment. We work on this with them daily.”

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