His discoverer speaks: “If Atlético de Madrid had bet on Bono, they would have fought for Courtois’ position”

—What do you remember working with Bono at the Atlético de Madrid subsidiary?

I remember Bono very fondly, because he is a boy who came from Morocco very young. He came from a different culture, but he came with a lot of humility. A boy who had very good technical conditions and who little by little grew, improved and now look at the goalkeeper, he is him. For me one of the best goalkeepers in the world, since he is showing it in this world championship.

—How was the first contact with Yassine Bounou in the Atlético de Madrid subsidiary?

It was a bit like all the boys who come to a youth team. In this case, to the Second Division B, the subsidiary of Atlético de Madrid. Bet on him. Apart from being fine, he is a boy that I am very fond of, because he has a very peculiar way of being. He is a good person, apart from how good a footballer he is and how well he does in goal. Then, his way of being is a boy who hooks up quickly, he got hold of his teammates and the coaching staff, because when he arrived in Spain, at no time did he come as a star signing, but rather as a boy who came to to improve.

—Do you think that Atlético de Madrid did not take advantage of Bono by letting him go?

What happens is that Atlético de Madrid is a club that finds it difficult to bet on the quarry. Realize that players like Oliver Torres have left, Saul had to leave last season, Thomas Teye Partey went to Arsenal, Javier Manquillo had to go to Newcastle, players who for me should be at Atlético de Madrid. But the sports management of the club decides on another footballer from outside and they do not look at the quarry. For me that is a mistake. One of the good ones was Yassine Bono, they would have perfectly bet on him and he would have fought for the position Courtois, but in the end the sports management decides and you have to respect it. Bono was prepared to face ownership at Atlético de Madrid.

—Anything that you saw that Bono could improve, since he couldn’t stay at Atlético de Madrid?

When he arrived muscularly he was not developed, and someone wider and stronger was needed in goal. He was a diamond that he had to polish. We worked very well with him and he was constant, he wanted to learn, he wanted to be a footballer, and now he is at the top. He grew technically, with his feet he improved a lot, it was difficult for him, before he dominated only his left leg and now he hits well with his right leg. He also made progress on how to bail out on starts. He has grown in all aspects and now he himself is the best goalkeeper in the world.

—Have you spoken with Yassine Bono after qualifying for the World Cup semifinals?

Yes, I spoke to him on WhatsApp, I congratulated him the day he eliminated Spain. Then you see the statements he makes after the game, and you realize the heart that person has. On the one hand, he was annoyed at having eliminated Spain, since Spain had given him a lot, but in the end he defended his country, Morocco. I sent him a WhatsApp and he answered me very quickly. I don’t think anyone spoke ill of Bono, because he is a very close person.

“And what did Bono say?”

He told me: “Thank you very much, mister.” I have spoken with him now that he was at Sevilla, I also spoke on WhatsApp when he made a save in the Europa League. I would like Morocco to be world champion because of Bono. I am very fond of him. Morocco is being a very well-worked team, you may like their football more or less, but they have a very forceful defensive block and then they have very fast transitions with Ziyech, En-Nesyri and Bono, there is no doubt about it, it is the bolt. The other day against Portugal he made a spectacular save and took some incredible balls. He is the true leader of this Moroccan team.

—How did Yassine Bono improve?

In penalties. That was a facet that when he arrived at Atlético de Madrid was also difficult for him, but little by little he has been learning. When they arrive so young from a different country, well, you have an adaptation period, but Bono, due to his way of being, adapted quickly. The results are there. He is now a great goalkeeper.

—Has Yassine Bono shown the world that with effort she can achieve her dreams?

Of course, perseverance, dedication, working with humility. He wanted to improve every day, since he had Miguel Ángel Bastón as goalkeeper coach in the subsidiary. Yassine Bono was the second goalkeeper for Thibaut Courtois. It was good for him to train with the first team. Surely he learned from Courtois.

—If Yassine Bono has a good night, could Morocco eliminate France?

France is the favorite in the semifinals to win the World Cup and repeat the World Cup for the second time. But in a single match, anything can happen. Nobody expected Morocco to eliminate Spain and Portugal. France is a good team, but Morocco has its weapons. Bono is a bolt for all teams, they have conceded only one goal in the entire World Cup. There can be many circumstances in the game that could benefit Morocco.

—After this World Cup, will any top European club be able to sign Bono?

They are not stupid, let’s see, we are talking about a great team like Sevilla, one of the greats in Spain. What happens is that Sevilla is in a difficult moment and perhaps a big team can look at it. He is fully prepared to go to a top team.

— The mental strength of Yassine Bono, she knew how to wait for her opportunity and played in the First Division in Spain at the age of 26, is it clear that she is a great example for the youngest?

It has to be an example for everyone. Now there is Jan Oblak and he plays everything. So, in that respectable position, Cholo Simeone maintains the starting goalkeeper for all competitions. But yes, Yassine Bono knew how to maintain that discipline of knowing how to be a substitute at a specific moment. He is an example for the homegrown players of the different teams.

jessson martinez

— You direct the Peruvian Jeisson Martínez at CF Rayo Majadahonda, how is he doing?

A very good player, a kid who can play forward or on the wing and I’m really happy with him. A boy who has tremendous conditions, technically good, fast into space, does well in the air, very complete and a good boy.

— What other things does Jeisson Martínez bring to his team?

He brings a lot of verticality to the team, he is a footballer with good movements into space. I am very happy with him.

— What should Jeisson Martínez improve?

Perhaps the goal is a pending subject. He tried to correct him so that he improves that facet, because in the end goals are required of a striker. He has to finish, be ambitious in that regard. But otherwise I’m calm.

— Are you giving it continuity?

Yes, he came out of injury. The team was in very bad shape when I arrived: I had only one point. But we are improving.

— Has anyone from the Peruvian Football Federation asked you about Jeisson Martínez?

No, not to me. He is a player to take into account, because he has tremendous conditions. I think that Jeisson Martínez is clearly a footballer who can be in a higher category.