“Messi is everyone’s idol. What he’s doing is insane” - Buendía on Argentina, Xabi Alonso and Emery’s Villa

Emi Buendía (Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires; 1996) left Birmingham to rediscover himself. He spent six months under Xabi Alonso – one of his mentors – before returning to become a key figure again under Unai Emery. Two managers who have shaped his career and whom he credits for his current form. At Aston Villa, he is an idol, and for good reason. His goal in the Europa League final capped off the best individual season of his career. Now he hopes to make the World Cup squad. He has earned it, but the final decision rests with Lionel Scaloni.

The Argentina international spoke with AS from Birmingham to reflect on his year and revisit his career journey, from his adopted hometown of Majadahonda, through Norfolk, and now to becoming a hero at Villa Park...

Thank you for speaking with AS after such an unforgettable season.

Thank you very much. Honestly, I’m very happy and still processing what we achieved because, for the club, which is historically huge, it had been many years since they reached a European final. Then to go on and win it was something everyone wanted, especially our fans. If there’s one thing that defines this club, it’s the support from its people and how loyal they are. We returned from Turkey yesterday and celebrated with them. Seeing the happiness on people’s faces, the emotion, even fans thanking you with tears in their eyes… it’s incredible. As a player, it gives you enormous satisfaction to bring them that kind of joy.

-How did you cope with the lead-up to the final against Freiburg? Were you very nervous?

To be honest, well, personally it was my first European final. I approached it like any other match. I even thought at times that I felt too calm, too normal. I didn’t want to give it the importance it deserved, but I did everything I normally do. I prepared the same way. I really enjoy visualizing how matches will go. We were already settled in Istanbul two days before. We were able to adapt quickly. That was also the feeling I had when I hit the ball.

-And in the final? Because his goal practically sealed the match.

The team reacted well. We played a great game. We were prepared for anything, and the more experienced players also stepped up. With the goal, I felt like the ball was going in when I shot, and well, I just started running over there, towards the fans. It was an incredible joy. Obviously, I hope, wish, and work hard to achieve much more. The goal contributed to the team’s victory. But I still have a long way to go. I worked very hard to get here, and I will continue working to achieve great things.

“Since I came back from Leverkusen I said that I wanted to stay, that I was capable of helping the team.”

Emi Buendía, jugador del Aston Villa, a AS

How did you handle the buildup to the final against Freiburg? Were there nerves?

Honestly, personally it was my first European final. I treated it like any other game. Sometimes I even thought I was too calm. I didn’t want to overthink the importance of it. I prepared exactly as I always do. I like visualizing how games will unfold. We arrived in Istanbul two days earlier, adapted quickly, and everything just felt right.

And then in the final itself? Your goal practically sealed the game.

The team reacted really well. We played a great game. We were prepared for everything, and the more experienced players stepped up too. The moment I hit the shot, I felt the ball was going in. I immediately started running toward the fans. It was an incredible feeling. Obviously, I hope, dream and work to achieve even more. That goal helped the team win, but there’s still a lot ahead of me. I worked very hard to get here and I’ll keep doing so to achieve great things.

You returned after your loan spell at Leverkusen and produced the best season of your career. What changed?

A lot of work. A lot of work. A lot of self-belief too. From the beginning I told the manager and coaching staff that I felt capable of staying and helping the team this season. Then, throughout the year, with hard work, things start going well, which is key in this sport. It’s also about confidence in yourself, your teammates and the coaching staff. All of that helped me have the best season of my career.

Emery and Aston Villa’s transformation

What role has Emery played in your season?

When the transfer window opened, we had a conversation about what I could bring to the team. I made it clear that I wanted to stay and help the club. Emery knows how to maximize every player’s strengths. Personally, we worked a lot on the details of my position and the things he demands from each player. From day one it was all about hard work, paying attention to every detail and improving anything that could make the difference. We grew together as a team throughout the season.

What is Unai Emery like away from the field? He’s practically changed the club’s modern history.

He always talks about building the team together and growing together. As I said before, he’s obsessed with details. He works tirelessly, studies opponents deeply and prepares every game meticulously so the team can compete against anyone. He reminds us that every game in the Premier League is difficult because, in my opinion, it’s the most competitive league in the world. Emery arrived when the club was fighting relegation and completely turned things around. He brought European soccer back after 40 years. Then came the Conference League semifinals, the Champions League semifinals against PSG, and now the Europa League title. We’ve made history with this club, and that says everything about Emery’s consistency and leadership.

From Getafe to Norwich and the Premier League

At 18, you left Getafe’s reserve team for Norwich. That was a huge leap.

I wasn’t afraid. More than anything, I was excited. Big changes and adventures have always helped me grow. Since I was 11 years old, when I left Argentina to move to Spain and join Real Madrid, my life has been full of those moments. Moving to England was another step. I arrived in a country where soccer is lived in a very special way, and luckily things went really well during those years at Norwich.

Some people at Getafe still regret letting you go…

I think things happen for a reason. I came through the academy and debuted very young. Looking back, maybe some things could have been handled differently, but that’s soccer. The year we were relegated to the second division, I was supposed to have a bigger role, but then I suffered a serious ankle injury and missed four months. When I returned, there had been a coaching change and the team was playing well with many experienced veterans. That period forced me to grow from the outside, training harder every day and learning constantly.

When did the Norwich opportunity arise?

I went on loan to Cultural Leonesa when we were in the second division. That was another huge step in my career. I still have a lot of affection for that club and many people there. Even today I’m still close friends with people from León. That season I started enjoying soccer again. I felt confident and important. Unfortunately, we were relegated, but it was enough for Norwich to notice me. By January everything was agreed for me to move to England that summer, and the rest is history.

How different was the jump from Norwich to Aston Villa?

It wasn’t as dramatic because I’d already had three incredible years at Norwich. We won the Championship twice and also experienced relegation from the Premier League. By the time I joined Villa, I already understood the rhythm and demands of English soccer. I still remember the excitement of Aston Villa’s call because the project they described has gradually become reality. The club’s ambition was to experience exactly what we’re living now.

Xabi Alonso and the World Cup dream

What do you remember most from your six months with Xabi Alonso at Leverkusen?

It was a great experience. I left Aston Villa looking for more playing time and to recover from the serious injury I had suffered. Beyond the soccer side, it was positive personally too – another country, another language, another culture. German soccer is fantastic. The atmosphere, the stadiums, the fans… I loved it. And I joined a team that had just achieved something extraordinary by winning the Bundesliga unbeaten against Bayern Munich. Xabi struck me as a brilliant manager with an enormous future ahead of him.

Were you surprised by what happened to him at Real Madrid?

Personally, yes. I thought he could do very well there. Xabi commands respect because of everything he achieved as a player, and that’s exactly what I experienced playing under him at Leverkusen. Everyone listened to him and respected him in the locker room. He has immense knowledge from his playing career and now applies it as a coach. His departure was unfortunate, but Real Madrid is also a very difficult environment.

Starting next season, you’ll face him in the Premier League with Chelsea…

Yes! As I said, he’s a great coach with a huge future. He’s young but already incredibly experienced. Chelsea have fantastic players, and I wish him the very best. We’ll meet again soon enough.

Argentina, Messi and the 2026 World Cup

If you could speak to your younger self, what would he think of the person you’ve become?

He’d be proud, just like I am today. Since I was 11, my career has had many highs and lows. There were moments when things went really well and others when they went very badly. At one point, I even questioned whether soccer was really for me. But I never gave up. I always believed things would work out if I kept working. I’m lucky to live from my passion and to share the journey with the people I love.

Scaloni announces Argentina’s final World Cup squad in a few days and your name is among the favorites. Nervous?

For any Argentine player, the national team is the most important thing. Representing my country at a World Cup would be a dream. Throughout the season the national team was always in the back of my mind, but my focus was on having a great year with Aston Villa because that’s what gives you a chance to be selected. We had an incredible season in Birmingham and I feel I’ve grown tremendously over the last few months. Whatever decision Scaloni makes, we’ll support it because Argentina always comes first.

Who are the favorites for the World Cup?

It’s going to be a very difficult tournament. There are so many great national teams and elite players. Argentina are always there as defending champions from Qatar. France are incredibly strong after reaching another final. Spain have amazing players and are European champions. England also have huge talent. Then there’s Germany, the Netherlands, Morocco, Senegal… there are many teams capable of making a deep run. In tournaments like this, tiny details make all the difference.

If you had to predict the final? Maybe Spain vs Argentina?

I don’t know about that. Argentina against anyone.

And with a goal from Emi Buendía in the final?

If possible, yes (laughs). As I said before, just being there and wearing the Argentina jersey would already be the greatest honor.

People say this could be Messi’s last World Cup. Do you try to convince him to stay longer?

Leo is everyone’s idol. Most of us grew up watching him do unbelievable things for years. What he’s still doing after more than 20 years is insane. We try to enjoy every moment with him because national team camps are always short. Naturally, we want him with us for as long as possible, but the decision belongs entirely to him. Whatever he decides will be respected by everyone, and hopefully it ends with more joy for Argentina.

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