The municipal sports schools in Xaló saw the talent of Omar Molines Arranz grow. From the age of 7 he trained in the town in various sports such as tennis or Valencian pilota, but finally decided to stick with indoor football, one of the most popular disciplines among people of his age.
17 years later, Omar has turned the extracurricular sport he played with his friends into a clear future goal. After playing for different teams and clubs, which have taught him indoor football over the seasons, on January 2 he signed for Levante UD FS. The team is in the Second Division, so it already demands much higher discipline and skills.
His debut with the team was on January 11, facing ADC Lugo Sala at the Paterna Sports Centre. A very special moment for the Xaló native, in which family and friends accompanied him every minute, managing to make his debut with a goal and an assist. In the end, the Valencian team won 7-2.
QUESTION: What is the biggest achievement you remember from your early years in futsal?
ANSWER. I always played with older players, in higher categories. With my brother's team, who is two years older than me, we managed to reach the regional finals and won against Benissa. I then felt that I liked this sport much more than I thought, that it was not just a hobby and that maybe I could dedicate myself to this, even if it was not a higher competition.
Q. How was the process from then until you became a professional?
R. In my town, the highest category you could play in was at 16, and when I was 15, in my last year as a cadet, I went to Benissa to play with the youth teams, being a year younger. I was there for a year, then I signed for Calp, where the club was already bigger, not as small as a municipal school. I was there for two or three years, until I was 19.
I was then selected for the Valencian U-19 team. For seven months I trained with the team on weekends, each time in a different venue, in Valencia, Alicante and Castelló, and finally I played in the Spanish Championship for regional teams in Huelva. Although we didn't make it to the final phase, of the four group matches, we won three and lost one. In those phases you have to win all four matches to get to the final phase, it's a bit complicated. But the experience of being away from home for a whole week and dedicating myself exclusively to sport, as if it were something professional, was very good.
Q. And how did you come to Levante UD FS?
R. From Calp I went to Dénia, which was already competing in the Second Division B. I was there for two years, travelling every 15 days to places like Barcelona, Ibiza or Mallorca. Then I went to Segorbe, from November to May, where the club offered me accommodation and I dedicated myself exclusively to playing. Later I returned to Calp for a while until a friend offered me the possibility of playing in Valencia this season and around matchday six or seven the Levante coach contacted me and told me that they were very interested in me. We began the process to be able to put everything together, and, since January 2, I have been integrated into the team dynamic.
Q. That must be a big achievement for you, right?
R. Yes, definitely. Since you were a kid, you are really excited to be able to make your debut in a higher category, like this one, the second most important league in Spain. When you already have contacts and an interest in it, it is very gratifying because it is what you have fought for a long time and in the end the opportunity comes.
Q. Have you also received academic training in sports?
R. Yes, I studied a sports degree in Dénia. I have also worked with children in campuses and I have trained children's teams. I love everything related to sport and the training of children.
Q. How is the difference between the teams you have played for before and the Second Division level?
R. The difference is noticeable, firstly because of the category. Also because of the pace, the physical demands and the preparation are much greater. Before I trained two days a week, now we train five days, from Monday to Friday, or leaving Wednesday free if there is a game on the weekend. It is a more professional level, you have to take much more care of yourself, sacrifice more things, like going out with friends or certain comforts, but in the end it is all worth it because you do what you like.
Q. How many hours do you train a day?
R. We train about two and a half hours each session.
Q. What position do you play?
R. I am a winger, which means I attack from one side. Although in futsal it is very important to be prepared to complete all facets such as defence, attack or whatever.
Q. What do you value most about your career?
R. I really appreciate not having had any problems along the way. I have always been able to choose what I wanted and I have enjoyed every stage. I have taken away friends, experiences and good memories from each team. Looking back, I love remembering all the people I have met and the moments I have lived.
Q. What have been the biggest challenges you have faced?
R. Sacrificing things that are typical of youth. For example, staying home before a game instead of going out, getting up much earlier than usual to travel far, or giving up certain plans. But you make all that effort because you love what you do.
Q. What do you hope to bring to the team?
R. I don't know how to define myself with a specific characteristic, but I am available to the coach for whatever he needs. I want to contribute effort, commitment and adapt to what is asked of me.
Q. Do you have aspirations beyond this team?
R. Yes, I would love to dedicate myself professionally and exclusively to futsal and make a living from it, but I prefer to take it little by little now that I'm in it. Work on it and when a new opportunity comes up, take advantage of it. As an aspiration, reaching the elite would be the best thing for me.
Q. Do you combine sport with work?
R. I work in a warehouse in the mornings, but not every day. I combine it with training and matches.
Q. What message would you give to the little ones who dream of going far in sport?
R. I would tell them not to get discouraged if things don't go as expected. Sometimes you don't get the performance you want or things don't go as you like, but you have to try to hold on to take advantage of the opportunity when it comes. Don't get upset, don't give up, and work on what you want.