Iker Muñoz: “This is where I want to be”

Osasuna midfielder Iker Muñoz held a press conference after signing a contract extension that will keep him with Club Atletico Osasuna through the 2029-30 season. Muñoz, a product of the club’s youth system, expressed his excitement about remaining with his boyhood team and thanked the club for its trust.

 “First of all, I want to thank the president, sporting director Braulio Vázquez, technical director Cata Prieto and the entire club,” Muñoz said. “I also want to thank my family and partner, because without them, none of this would be possible. On the field, this is the right decision for me. This is where I want to be. I want to continue growing as a person and a professional, and now that I have renewed through 2030, I hope there are many more years to come.”

 “It is the best option because, in the last four years, I have grown tremendously and I still have a lot to give to Osasuna.”

The Villafranca native reflected on his past four years with the first team, highlighting the hard work that led to his contract extension.

 “Mentally, I have grown a lot. When you are not getting many minutes, it makes you value other things, and my family, partner and agents have supported me through it. Along with my friends, they have given me the strength to keep pushing forward. As a footballer, you have to go through those processes to better appreciate what it means to play in La Liga and be among the elite.

 As a footballer, you are not always moving up, but I have done everything I could to improve, and I feel I am now at my best thanks to the work I have put in. Now, the team and I are gaining momentum, and I hope we can finish the season on a high note.

‘To represent Osasuna is a privilege’

Muñoz also spoke about the importance of playing for his childhood club and representing its colors.

 “To wear Osasuna’s jersey at home or on the road is a privilege. We all know that playing here at El Sadar with our fans is an amazing experience. I said it after we played Girona: After not being in the starting eleven at home for a while, I was eager to be back and have a good game to reconnect with the fans.”

Braulio Vázquez: ‘It is a strategic move’

 Sporting director Braulio Vázquez, who joined Muñoz at the press conference, called the contract extension a key strategic move for the club.

“We are here to discuss Iker Muñoz’s contract extension with Osasuna through at least 2030. This renewal is a strategic move for the club, because it was clear to us that we needed him to stay much longer. Not just because he is from Navarre or our youth academy, but because of his talent. His agent knows that our desire to keep Iker was so strong that we even passed on other important alternatives, because we knew his talent and what he brings to the table. With the coaches’ work, he can continue to grow. Plus, he knew he wanted to be here. So it was just a matter of reaching an understanding between the two parties. He is very valuable to us.”

 Vázquez highlighted Muñoz’s work ethic and mental strength to overcome difficulties as key assets he brings to the team.

“It is crucial to have talent, but talent without work is useless. He has put in the work and shown patience. He has had high-performance moments, and like everyone else, he has also dealt with injuries. However, he has had the mental strength to overcome them. That, along with his work and talent, has earned him a spot among the starters and an important role with the team. His maturity at a young age makes it easy for us to want him to stay. And he knows I believe he will wear the captain’s armband one day.”