Kike Barja: 'There Is Nothing More Special Than Representing Your Hometown Team'

Osasuna midfielder Kike Barja spoke at a press conference after the club announced his contract extension through the 2027-28 season. The homegrown player began by emphasizing how meaningful it was to extend his relationship with the team he joined at age 8.

"I am thrilled and very happy to stay here. I've been here my whole life. I don't think there is anything more special than representing your hometown team," Barja said.

The midfielder thanked his family, teammates and coaching staff for helping him reach this point and for playing key roles in his development.

"This is not only due to my own effort, and I must thank my family. I also want to thank my teammates, who are very important to me because they consistently support me. Every day, they make me feel valued and give me confidence, whether I play or not.

"I have to thank the coaching staff, Alessio and his team, who were able to get the best out of me when I wasn't at my best. I also want to wish them well. Overall, every coach I've worked with since the academy has helped me improve," he said.

When asked about his goals and dreams for the future, the team captain said the club needs to be ambitious but also keep its focus on what truly matters: staying in Primera División.

"We have to have big dreams and aim for great things, while being mindful—especially after the end of this season—that playing in Primera is tough. The level keeps rising, and it's harder to earn points if we drop our intensity, concentration or competitiveness. Our goal is to be a compact and competitive team that shows our supporters what they want to see: giving everything on the field. From there, our level will determine where we end up. That will help us stay in Primera División.

"My goal is to help Osasuna stay in Primera División, to make our supporters enjoy what they see on the field and feel proud and excited about Osasuna," Barja said.

Barja was asked about his early days as a footballer and reflected that he still has the same dreams and goals he had as a child.

"As I look back at everything that had to happen for me to be here today, it wasn't always easy, but it was positive. I think I became a regular in the second division, and I've seen the club grow little by little. The work by the president and Braulio has been instrumental in getting Osasuna to where it is today.

"When I think about my time as a kid, I see a child full of dreams and hopes that I still have. When I step onto the field at El Sadar or any other stadium, I still have that hope and desire to give everything. It's what I've been taught since childhood, and something that, as an Osasuna player and homegrown talent, we must have," he added.

Barja discussed how he felt during the season, highlighting that even though he had a tough start, he remained calm, which gave him the confidence he needed whenever he was asked to play.

"I've been calm all season. Mentally and physically, I've felt good. Granted, the first few months were difficult. I was always ready when the coach called; it's important we all stay ready to contribute to the team, especially as captain. That has been my mentality all year, and I think that's why I performed well when my opportunity came.

"Individually, I needed to prove I was still fit to continue at Osasuna. I thank Braulio, who wanted me to stay from the start of the season, but I wanted to be fair and not take someone else's place. I wanted to show I was still good for Osasuna and be true to myself," the captain said.

Braulio Vázquez: 'At the sporting level, we are delighted he is still with us, and as team captain, he is important in the locker room.'

Osasuna sporting director Braulio Vázquez joined Barja at the news conference and spoke about Barja's importance in the locker room this season.

"I want to thank him for his commitment, whether playing or not. As a former player, you feel like you go unnoticed when you're not on the field. However, his training regimen and how he helped his teammates were not unnoticed. We are delighted he is still with us, not only for what he brings on the field, but for what he brings as team captain," Vázquez said.