Speaking to a Spanish radio show called'El Larguero', broadcast by Cadena SER, Atletico Madrid and Spaindefender Juanfran revealed what his 6-year-old son said to him soon after the player missed what proved to be the decisive spot kick in last season's Champions League final.
Speaking in the build-up to Wednesday's mouthwatering clash between Barcelona and Atletico at Camp Nou, Juanfran confessed:
''I was in the locker room after the game, and my son came in and he reassured me. He told me not to worry, to remain calm. My son is phenomenal.''
The former Real Madrid youth team player also responded to claims he doesn't love the Atletico shirt as much as he should.
''It hurts me to lose just as much as it does the manager. Just because missing that penalty has made me a stronger person both personally and professionally doesn't mean it doesn't hurt me. I have to live with both the triumphs and the defeats. Life gives us new opportunities and I think we will win the Champions League.''
Playing at right-back means that Juanfran will have to deal with an in-formNeymar on Wednesday;the Brazilian sensation faced some strongcriticism regarding showboating duringthe match toLeganes. It's not the first time he's been accused of such a thing.
"He's a fantastic player,'' Juanfran stated.''Everything that happens on the field should be left on the field. He has his game and tochange it would be to changefootball. The Barca fans worship him, the Atleti fans and others maybe not so much. I might like things you don't, but that's just me. Weare culturally different, but that's not to say one thingis better or worse.''