In the second round of the Champions League, Kazakhstan team Almaty Keilat faced Real Madrid at home. Before the game, Keilat's Portuguese defender Luis Mata was interviewed by the Spanish media Le Monde and talked about some of the team's situation.

How did you, a Portuguese, come to Almaty to play football?

"I played in Poland for four years and came here in January this year because I knew that the team was going to participate in the UEFA Champions League qualifiers. Even if I didn't make it to the main game, I could still play in the Europa League or the European Association. I have never played in the European game and I am full of expectations for it."

Talking about the feeling of playing against Real Madrid

"That's right, when you mention the Champions League, you will think of Real Madrid. They are the most famous and most winning teams in the history of the Champions League. I myself watched Real Madrid grow up led by Ronaldo. As a Portuguese, it is my honor to be able to play against Real Madrid. We will definitely enjoy this game and make all our efforts to create history."

Is Ronaldo your idol?

"He has always been my most important benchmark in life. I still clearly remember the years of Ronaldo in Portugal and Manchester United, but what I deeply understand about him was in Real Madrid. Although I don't have a specific idol, Ronaldo has become my most important reference because of his achievements. When I played in national teams at all levels in Portugal, he was my role model. When I came to Kazakhstan and I said I was a Portuguese, people always say 'C Ronaldo, C Ronaldo', which shows that he is not only a benchmark in the football world."

How does your family react to you coming to Kazakhstan to play football?

"I brought my wife and son here with me. My wife is still pregnant. I didn't know much about this place before, you would think it is similar to countries like Iran and Afghanistan. But when you start watching the city and interacting with your teammates and locals, you will find that it is completely different. The environment here is very similar to a European city. I live in a very modern apartment, and my two-year-old son attends a kindergarten in English. Everything is safe and beautiful, and there is a beautiful mountain range 15 minutes' drive from the city, and the quality of life is very high. When I told my family that we were going to Kazakhstan, their first reaction was: 'Where are you going to take us?' Then everything went smoothly, and the only bad thing was that it was too far from Portugal."

How about football in Kazakhstan?

"There are already many foreign players here. Kazakhstans are introverted and like physical confrontation. They often don't consider tactics. In Keilat, we work hard to play beautiful football, we have many foreign players, and are working hard to create this mentality. If we only use Kazakhstan players, the style will be more direct and dependent on the physical confrontation, and it is more like a battle."

Talking about the club's financial difficulties a few years ago

"There are currently only 14 teams in the league, and we are the only private club. His team’s funds come from the country. So, I think we are more organized. A few years ago, our chairman was imprisoned for two years due to tax fraud and other issues. Before 2021, the club will invest more. For example, former Arsenal player Kerzakov and Brazilian player Wagner Lov both played here, and their salaries are very high. Now, the chairman is no longer as big as before after he was released from prison. However, with the efforts of the club’s internal think tank, we will attract better players, and we are making history."