Rafa Marin talks La Fabrica, Real Madrid vs AS Roma, La Liga title race: ‘The best youth academy in the world’

Rafa Marin talks La Fabrica, Real Madrid vs AS Roma, La Liga title race: ‘The best youth academy in the world’ With Real Madrid preparing for a Champions League trip to Italy this week, a familiar voice from Valdebebas has been reflecting on the club that shaped him. Rafa Marin, the 24-year-old Sevillian defender who came through La Fabrica , has established himself as an undisputed starter for Massimo Allegri’s Napoli in both Serie A and the Champions League. Real Madrid still hold a buy-back option on him for the summer of 2027. Ahead of his return to La Ceramica this midweek, Marin spoke to Diario AS about La Fabrica, the La Liga title race and Real Madrid’s game against AS Roma, among other things. Marin on Real Madrid vs AS Roma and La Fabrica Marin has found success in Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images) Marin notably offered his thoughts on his former team taking on AS Roma in the UEFA Champions League this midweek. “A very difficult match, no doubt. Roma are playing very well this year, they play beautiful football, with great organization.” “They’re a physical team that runs a lot, and that’s very important in modern football, the distance you cover. It’s going to be a great match to watch ,” he said. Marin also talked about Real Madrid’s academy, which has broken its own record for player sales this past summer. The defender heaped praise on La Fabrica , and has little doubt as to why it keeps delivering talents year after year. “Real Madrid prepares you incredibly well. You can see it at the youth level; they have very talented players. “ But beyond that, they instill that Real Madrid spirit, that competitive drive, that never-give-up attitude, and I think that’s what’s allowed me to improve so much ,” he said. “They also teach you so much about footwork, how to distribute the ball, how to control possession, how to manage a match. It’s the best youth academy in the world, and the best players go there, so it’s only natural that players like the ones we’re seeing emerge ,” he added. On Nico Paz Another Castilla graduate thriving in Italy is Nico Paz, who Marin faced recently when Napoli met Como. The two shared a dressing room during their academy days. Marin has immense respect for Nico Paz. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images) “The year we were both at Castilla, Sergio Arribas and Nico were there. What a pair of number tens! If you could pick both of them, you’d definitely pick both.” “Nico was younger, Arribas played more, but even then you could see Nico had so many tricks up his sleeve, that way of shielding the ball, the way he turns… Well, what can I say that we haven’t all seen by now?” he added. Paz was linked with a return to Real Madrid this past summer, but the move did not materialise with Como acquiring the Argentine’s services on a permanent deal . “Although he’s perfected it even more. Now he’s a player for the Argentinian national team, the best at Como… what more can we say? ” he said. On the La Liga title race With Barcelona having opened an early gap at the top, Marin was asked whether he sees Madrid recovering and mounting a genuine challenge. “I think so. Real Madrid is Real Madrid; we’ve seen them written off a thousand times in the Champions League, and yet they’re always there. It’s only the first few matchdays; there’s still a long way to go.” “Madrid has a fantastic team, and I think it’s going to be a competitive league ,” he concluded.