“I’m So Proud of My Team – We Played an Amazing Season” – Unai Aguirre on Champions League, CN Barceloneta & the Winning Mentality of Spain

In this episode of the Waterpolo Expert Talk, Spanish national team goalkeeper Unai Aguirre looks back on one of the most intense and emotional seasons of his career with CN Barceloneta, including the dramatic Champions League Final Eight, unforgettable penalty shootouts and the constant pressure of competing at the very top of European water polo.

Unai describes why he is incredibly proud of his team despite narrowly missing the Champions League final. Barceloneta fought through an extremely demanding season, showed outstanding performances in decisive games and proved that the club belongs permanently among the elite of European water polo. Especially the penalty shootout matches against top-class opponents remain deeply emotional moments for him as a goalkeeper.

A major topic of this episode is the comparison with Pro Recco, currently the most dominant club team in Europe. Unai explains why experience, confidence, player chemistry and especially the atmosphere inside the team are decisive factors for long-term success. According to him, talent alone is not enough – the connection between players, coaches and staff is what finally wins titles.

Beyond the club season, Unai also reflects on his greatest career moment so far: winning the World Championship and being named Best Goalkeeper of the Tournament. He describes the emotional impact of this success, the pride he felt for his family and friends, and why these moments still give him strength even though he lives fully focused on the present.

A very important part of the conversation is dedicated to the mental side of being a goalkeeper. Unai shares the advice he received from his former teammate Dani López, who taught him above all to stay calm under pressure, to be mentally ready for every match and to truly enjoy being in the goal. This mental strength, according to Unai, is far more important than any technical detail.

He also talks about the new water polo rules, his pragmatic attitude toward change and why Spain may even benefit from the faster and more dynamic style of play. As a goalkeeper, adapting to new rules is simply part of the job, and Unai makes clear that flexibility and learning speed are key qualities for modern athletes.

Looking ahead, the focus now shifts fully toward the Spanish national team. After already winning major international titles, the new generation of Spanish players carries both confidence and pressure. Unai speaks openly about this responsibility, the incredible quality in every position of the current squad and the clear goal of becoming world champions once again.

This episode offers a powerful and honest insight into the life of a world-class goalkeeper between Champions League pressure, world championship glory, mental strength and the constant hunger for the next title.

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