'I listen to him all the time' - Chukwueze praises fatherly role played by Villarreal captain

Published: April 26, 2022

Ahead of the UEFA Champions League clash with Liverpool, Samuel Chukwueze has praised Villarreal captain Raúl Albiol for the fatherly role he has played ever since the defender joined the club from Napoli.

A World Cup winner with Spain in 2010, Albiol is fourteen years older than Chukwueze and is in a good position to advise the Nigeria international.

At club level, the 36-year-old has also worn the colours of Real Madrid and Valencia, winning La Liga with the former in the 2011-2012 season.

Training with Albiol almost on a daily basis would have helped the Super Eagles star understand the demands of the Spanish top-flight.

"[Raúl Albiol is] an amazing guy. There is one word he uses: ‘frate’. I don’t understand what 'frate' means, but when he says: 'Frate, ¿cómo estás?' [How’s it going, brother?], I say 'Ah, bien, bien.' [Ah, good, good.]," Chukwueze said to UEFA's official website.

"He’s so funny. He’s so good. I call him 'padre'. He’s just like a father to me. I listen to him all the time."

Chukwueze and Albiol were involved home and away as Villarreal caused two upsets by defeating Juventus and Bayern Munich to qualify for the last four of the Champions League.

Igho Kingsley

Photo Credit : uefa.com

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