Ahead of the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona, Deportivo Alaves' Marcos Llorente claimed that the Catalans were a rival he had to beat since his first steps as a football player.
Being a member of Real Madrid's youth teams since the age of 13, the midfielder insisted he is looking forward to facing the Blaugrana again, labelling the match as very special for him.
"To take part in a final is something incredible, especially [when you play] against Barcelona," he said.
"I have a great desire to play, as are the rival I have had to beat since my childhood."
The 23-year-old also mentioned that their Catalan counterparts won't be able to beat his team's desire and ambition to compete.
"Pellegrino has developed [the team] a lot tactically," he noted.
"Before the games he transmits a special feeling to us [so we can] go out [on the pitch] with a lot of desire.
"I am not nervous yet, [but] I have a desire to play, win and offer a victory to our fans."
Although being the player with the most successful ball recoveries in the league, Llorente admitted that he will have a difficult job facing one of the best attacking lines European football has to offer.
"Barcelona are one of the best teams in the world," he continued.
"They have more possibilities [to win the trophy], but we have already defeated them and we are confident in ourselves."