Historic! Mateu Lahoz on his second World Cup: "I perceive every match as a unique experience"

Antonio Mateu Lahoz (Valencia, 1977) will face his second World Cup in Qatar, a milestone that few referees in history can reach. The international referee was born in the small town of Algimia de Alfara, Valencia, and boasts about his roots and how he is facing this new opportunity. "Football has helped me to get to travel around the world, meet new people and unforgettable experiences. That's why I perceive every match as a unique experience, with plenitude," he explains, surrounded by orange trees, his natural habitat.

He has more than 15 years of experience in professional football, so he is very clear about the profession to which he has dedicated his life. "Football referees can't have bad days... I have to lead a team and do it to the best I can. As referees, we have no past, no future, only the present, which is the next appointment". He concludes: "When there is a mistake, a referee has far fewer messages to check on his mobile phone".

Regarding the World Cup in Qatar, after his experience in Russia four years ago, Mateu Lahoz is ready to make the most of the big event in world football. "It's indescribable and something you can't even dream of... it's a new opportunity to enjoy the experience, knowing the responsibility we have, that we represent a country. There's a wealth of experience and we've already been vaccinated. I'm going to Doha with all the excitement", he says.