Javier Arbizu carries a remarkable history that many would envy. Beyond collecting a World Cup and two European titles, his travels span every venue where the Spanish national team has competed. The Navarrese former national team chief met and managed some of Spain’s greatest players, passing through the corridors that housed legends like Xavi, Iniesta, David Villa, and Santi Cazorla. Now enjoying retirement, Arbizu will journey to Avilés next week as part of the octopus days to receive the Alvaro Cunqueiro Honorary Diner from the Yumay Brotherhood.
Do you want to come to Avilés?
He answers with quiet enthusiasm. The award is a source of pride; Asturias holds a special place in his heart, and he has spent considerable time in that region. He looks forward to the event with genuine anticipation.
How did Arbizu begin his long association with the Spanish football team?
The chapter began 29 years ago, just before the Barcelona Olympics, and continued until three years ago, following the pandemic, when he retired. His work kept him close to the team, with extensive interaction with Asturian players. He traveled to seven World Cups and six European Championships, contributing across the gamut of teams from the A squad to the under-21s, from futsal to the women’s team. He spent more than two hundred days away from home, and the federation remained his second home throughout his career.
What is it like to prepare meals for football players during training camps?
The task is straightforward in practice. The medical team sets the dietary plan, and Arbizu was the cook who brought it to life. If a session occurred in the morning, the meals leaned toward greater nourishment; if the schedule demanded different timing, adjustments followed. The crucial point was consistency and quality, with responsibility resting on the doctor as the primary decision-maker.
Which Asturian player stands out in Arbizu’s memory?
He recalls Luis Enrique vividly. During the 1998 World Cup in France, Enrique faced a lean period in which meat intake was minimized, prompting a protein-rich plan that included fish. Enrique would later become the coach when Arbizu left the setup. Villa is another name that left a lasting impression on him.
With the rise of sports nutrition as a fashion, how does Arbizu view the field?
When Arbizu joined the national team, his own dietary approach differed markedly. He even traveled to Italy to study the science behind nutrition. Today, nutrition is a central pillar of professional preparation. The athletes are highly skilled and demand a lot from themselves; they understand the importance of their bodies, the money they earn, and the need to protect their health. The landscape has changed significantly since those early days.
Even in retirement, does Arbizu still follow the national team?
Just yesterday, a lunch in San Sebastián with former colleagues brought back memories of the old days and the camaraderie that defined his era.
Was retirement difficult for Arbizu?
Retirement carried a heavy sense of loss. He misses the stove and the constant routine of daily work. The shift from life on the road to a home life with teenagers was jarring. He always saw the players as his own children, so stepping back proved emotionally challenging.
What was the last moment of active life like for him?
Gijón marked his final match, a moment that felt overwhelming. A journalist called during lunch, and he could not respond in the moment. He chose to return home by bus to San Sebastián rather than attend the game, and the reaction was simply too much to process at once.
What about returning to Asturias now that he is free of former commitments?
Arbizu looks forward with enthusiasm. He plans a trip to Asturias with great excitement and a circle of close Asturian friends, including Ramiro, the national team’s hairdresser. The bond runs deep, and they feel like brothers. He has spent time in Vega and holds the region in high regard, with Maximino Martínez among the people who shaped his long association with Asturian life. The ties to Asturias remain strong and cherished, a testament to the people and places that marked his journey.