David Martín's success lies in his style: "Before, we looked to Hungary or the Balkans, now they look to us."

On July 24, the Spanish water polo team won its fourth world title. A 15-13 victory over Hungary in Singapore, Felipe Perrone's farewell, was an unbeatable conclusion. A film-like script for a team that, eight years after David Martín's arrival ( Barcelona , 1977), hasn't left the podium. The coach has built an impeccable machine that has created a style, one that is the envy of other countries. From the distance of success and the calm of his holidays in Ourense, he answers the call from La Vanguardia.

How do you feel weeks after becoming world champion in a top-tier tournament?

When you win, there's a release. It's been very peaceful, I quickly forgot about everything. Last year, after the Paris Games (they lost in the quarterfinals to Croatia), you're constantly thinking, wondering what you should have done. Here in Singapore, everything went smoothly. We needed to get back to winning ways. We've taken a load off, the players are happy and enjoying their vacation.

Winning gold is liberation. Isn't that setting the bar too high?

Our ambition is to play for gold. Of course, we can lose the final, lose on penalties in the semifinals, and take home a bronze, but we want to leave feeling like we gave it our all. It's true that our internal pressure is gold. This gold reaffirms us. There were tournaments where we came away with a medal, but we weren't satisfied.

In the semifinals, you forced penalties in the final second. Does that make your achievement more impressive, considering the level of equality that prevails in your sport?

It was a miracle. But over time, you realize that the winner always has a moment of luck in the championship, and other times we lacked it. Sometimes you lose a match and you don't know how. Watching the video and analyzing it, it was a great game. It was a fair draw. You can't blame the players for much. Greece had a spectacular championship, proving to be a tough team to play against and also overwhelming Italy. And they won the bronze. They're a great team. The Virgin Mary appeared before us, but we believed until the end. And in this championship, we showed that faith, against Hungary in the group stage, in the semifinals, in the final... I'm proud.

What did you think when Felipe Perrone scored the last goal of the final in the last game of his career, which also gave him a world gold medal?

Don't fuck with me (sic). This is how it's going to end! I felt so happy for him. Before he agreed, there were moments of doubt, wondering whether he'd come back or not. We had three meetings to decide he was coming to Singapore. And then I thought, thank goodness he's here, he deserves everything, it's the grand finale. That's what my expression looked like at the time.

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Three meetings with him, how did you manage that process?

I can explain it now that it's all over. When the Paris Games ended, we didn't decide; it was a busy time. We gave ourselves a deadline of April or May. I told him that if the team performed well, he'd have a better chance. But if he doesn't perform well, we'll need more time and it will be more difficult. And we performed very well at the World Cup.

This isn't a new situation for you, having captained many players who you later had to leave behind as a national team coach. But how do you deal with a great friend like Perrone in the last championship of your life? I understand that separating the personal from the professional was difficult for you.

They were conversations between two adults who love and respect each other. I would never consider him a friend if I hadn't brought him. And that gives you peace of mind. We organized three meals. The first, after the World Cup in April, where we both expressed doubts. We didn't see it as a clear decision. The team was doing very well, and we thought, 'Let's see if we mess it up now.' The next meal was later, and I told him I thought he should come back, that he could give us something for the World Cup. But Felipe didn't answer me. He had to think about it. Already at the third, he said yes. The final decision wouldn't have broken our friendship. As a friend, and with how much I love him, when he scored that goal... I also thought, 'Thank goodness.'

The final decision with Perrone would not have broken our friendship.”

Will the team notice his absence or have they already grown accustomed to being without him?

In recent years, his contribution was less, more quality, but not as many minutes. The team learned to play without him and accepted that role. He always did; his humility is incredible. He helped us win. Many players have taken a step forward. Munarriz fulfilled his role as captain, Granados made a leap, Tahull, Larumbe, Bernat Sanahuja... They're ready because of how well Felipe did. He helped them grow; he was like a father and a teacher. It was natural. We'll continue to be competitive. Nobody can give us what Felipe did, but we'll make up for it with other things.

Aside from those Olympic thorns, your record of achievements in eight years is unique. What do you think and what are you most proud of?

I'm very pleased to have exceeded expectations. My goal was for Spain to once again rub shoulders with the elite, for us to fight for medals. But we've made it routine. Now we're the reigning European and World champions. But the most important thing is to see that we have an identity, that it's recognized. They see a style in the juniors and seniors. That's the hardest part. We looked to Hungary or Italy, the Balkan countries... And now they're the ones looking to us.

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Clubs have been left feeling the lack of financial support from the CSD, and other clubs are asking for more foreign players in their squads. As a national team coach, what do you think about these two situations?

Our source of talent and player discovery are clubs. It's difficult to find a model anywhere in the world where social and elite sports come together. They need more support from institutions. There are municipal problems with concessions. More attention is paid to private companies instead of providing space in clubs for children who practice healthy sports. We complain about obesity, screens, the difficulties of public health care... What better place for these children than to be in swimming clubs, hockey, basketball, soccer ... also learning the values of sport? And if those clubs also produce boys or girls who can become world or Olympic champions...

Is it necessary for more foreigners to come to the League ?

Many countries ask me why our system is so envied. And it's essential that young players in the junior division get so many minutes in the top division. Sometimes we value what's from abroad more than what's from within. Many clubs from abroad call me to sign Spanish players. And here we look abroad. We need to give more playing time to young players who have proven they have talent. And more and more of them are leaving. We must all protect it. Many go to the United States on scholarships, and other young players go to Europe. This is what we have to protect. I think signing from abroad is more unviable than betting on our own.