New Werder Bremen Signing Puertas: Got Ronaldo’s Shirt Through Nacho; Ronaldo’s Charm Is Unbelievable

This summer, Borja Puertas joined Werder Bremen on loan from Al-Khaleej. In an interview with camel.live, he talked about his life in Saudi Arabia and the experience of playing against Cristiano Ronaldo.

What’s your first impression of Bremen?

I really like it here. The style and architecture remind me of Belgium. Last week, I walked around and got a preliminary feel for the place. I plan to find a big apartment or house—my family is quite large; I have three older sisters, and they love being with me. My girlfriend will also come to Bremen.

How was your life in Saudi Arabia?

Saudi Arabia is a developing country. Many hotels are being built, and residential areas are under development. A lot of projects are being carried out to make things easier for expats from all over the world. I lived in a completely normal city—there are not only wealthy people driving luxury cars, but also people who are struggling financially.

Why did you decide to return to Europe?

It’s extremely hot there. We didn’t start training until 8 or 9 in the evening, and from August to October, the extreme heat is almost unbearable. Temperatures can even reach 45 degrees Celsius during some matches. Because of the heat, you always end up going to shopping malls—since they’re very cool and comfortable—and then you’d sit in a restaurant for a while. When teams from Europe came inquiring about me, I chose Werder Bremen; I didn’t have to think hard about that decision.

What was it like playing against Ronaldo?

His charm and presence are unbelievable. He’s been one of my idols since I was a kid. Being able to play against him feels like achieving a real accomplishment—it was amazing to meet someone I admire so much.

Do you have his jersey in your collection?

Yes, but he didn’t want to swap shirts. We won the game 2-1, and he was upset. So I asked his former teammate Nacho, and he helped me sort it out. That was the first time I ever asked for a player’s jersey.

Did you put it in the washing machine?

I washed it clean, and now I wear it as pajamas (laughs). Seriously though, it’s kept safely in my wardrobe. If I ever settle in Switzerland one day, I’ll prepare a proper display case for it at home.