Joel Robles, a veteran Spanish goalkeeper whose career has been defined by success at Europe's elite clubs, recently opened up about his remarkable journey through the upper echelons of football. In an exclusive interview with Flashscore's Oliver Dominguez, the shot-stopper discussed his experiences winning major silverware including the FA Cup, Europa League, and Copa del Rey, while playing under legendary managers such as Diego Simeone, Roberto Martinez, and Manuel Pellegrini. Currently plying his trade at Estoril in Portugal, Robles provided candid insights into his time at some of Spain's biggest institutions and his ventures in England and Portugal.
Robles' professional foundations were laid at Atletico Madrid, where he witnessed the club's transformative period firsthand. As a youth academy graduate, he was part of the squad that captured the club's maiden Europa League title in 2010, defeating Fulham in the final and sharing the dressing room with icons like Diego Forlan and Sergio Aguero. "Imagine, as a youth academy player, being able to experience such wonderful moments with the first team and winning trophies, especially at a time when the club really needed it for its future growth. Those are moments you'll always carry with you for the rest of your life," Robles reflected. He also contributed to qualifying rounds during Atletico's second Europa League triumph in 2012, despite being out on loan at Rayo Vallecano from January onwards. During his Atletico tenure, Robles worked alongside exceptional goalkeepers including David De Gea, Sergio Asenjo, Roberto Jimenez, and Thibaut Courtois, crediting all of them as influential mentors in his development.
When discussing Simeone's arrival and subsequent impact, Robles emphasized the transformative nature of the Argentine's leadership. In their brief time together—approximately six or seven months across two separate spells—Robles observed immediate changes that would define Atletico's trajectory. "I think it was a radical change overnight, and you can see it now, 14 or 15 years later, Cholo Simeone still has the same or even more energy, with everything he's achieved and the tough titles he's won going up against Madrid and Barca," Robles stated. He believes Simeone's energy remains the cornerstone of Atletico's competitive identity, noting the recent derby victory as evidence of this enduring culture. Regarding Atletico's current campaign, Robles observed that the club appears to be transitioning into a championship-caliber outfit, drawing parallels to PSG's evolution. "In the end, building a championship team takes time, players, good chemistry between them, and many other things," he explained.
Robles' tenure at Real Betis culminated in one of his career's most cherished moments: winning the Copa del Rey. The triumph at La Cartuja in Seville, orchestrated with involvement from academy products Joaquin and Miranda via penalty heroics, represented the perfect farewell gift during the final year of his contract after four seasons. "I get goosebumps just thinking about it. For me, it was the best gift I could have received in my entire football career," Robles enthused. He credited Manuel Pellegrini's stewardship with establishing the stability necessary for Betis' resurgence, allowing the club to retain key players, build competitive squads, and secure Champions League qualification. Robles lauded Joaquin, describing the veteran winger as a footballer with exceptional ambition even at 40 years old—someone who remained deeply competitive and possessed the rare ability to influence outcomes at the club. With Betis now navigating the Champions League against formidable opponents including Dortmund, Bayern Munich, and Arsenal, Robles remains optimistic about the club's trajectory under Pellegrini's continued guidance.