Zaragoza says his difficult spell at Bayern Munich was caused by a lack of preparation rather than his ability, while insisting the Ballon d’Or should be won by a Spanish player this year.
The Spain international joined Bayern aged 20 after playing in the Segunda Division and making only 10 La Liga appearances. He said the move represented too great a step, with the language, climate, food and change in environment making the adjustment particularly difficult.
“In my position, there was Musiala, who I thought was the best in the world at the time, as well as Sane, Gnabry, Coman,” Zaragoza told AS. “I don’t think it was my footballing ability that was lacking. My career took too big a step when I wasn’t ready.”
A knee injury suffered during his time in Rome meant Zaragoza missed pre-season and was not fit when training began in Germany. He eventually moved to Espanyol after Bayern decided he would not return to first-team training.
“I had a significant fitness deficit when I arrived because I didn’t participate in pre-season training,” he said. “I’ve been officially playing for about a month now, but I haven’t reached my peak level yet.”
Zaragoza joined Espanyol on a deal including a buyout clause and said he hopes to remain at the club permanently. He chose the Catalan side after speaking to coach Manolo Gonzalez and Monchi, whose plans gave him “a sense of trust and excitement”.
He admitted his time in Germany had been difficult, spending six weeks alone in a hotel while injured and uncertain about his future. Zaragoza said the final two weeks were particularly hard because he was away from his family and unable to play football, which “is what makes me happy”.
Espanyol have suffered consecutive defeats before a three-week break, but Zaragoza believes the pause can help the team recover its confidence. Gonzalez has called for the side to “return to basics”, although Zaragoza expects only minor adjustments to their playing style.
The 23-year-old, who now lives in Barcelona with his wife and son while expecting a second child, is preparing to face Malaga, where he watched Isco and Joaquin as a child. He never played for Malaga but considers the area his footballing home.
Zaragoza also described himself as part of the “last generation of street footballers”. He said academy football had become too restrictive and that children were increasingly choosing phones and tablets over playing outside. He began his own journey without entering a formal academy, eventually earning trials with Betis and Valladolid before joining Granada.
He believes discipline, sacrifice, good rest and diet, as well as a genuine love of football, are needed to succeed. Moving between Spain, Italy and Germany taught him that Spanish football places greater emphasis on technique, while Italy and Germany prioritise physicality.
Zaragoza said missing Spain’s European Championship and World Cup successes remains a regret, but he expects further opportunities with the national team. He praised Luis de la Fuente and Gonzalez for encouraging him to play naturally and be brave in one-on-one situations.
Asked who should win the Ballon d’Or, Zaragoza replied: “The Ballon d’Or should rightfully go to a Spanish player; I can’t imagine anyone else winning it. If not Yamal, Fabbian… The only other person I could accept is Kane.”
