Joel Robles says Wigan Athletic’s 2013 FA Cup victory over Manchester City will remain one of the defining moments of his career, despite the club’s relegation from the Premier League days later.
The Spanish goalkeeper, now 36 and playing for Estoril, has also won the Europa League, Copa del Rey and other major honours during a career that has taken him from Atletico Madrid to England, Real Betis and Portugal.
Robles came through Atletico’s academy and was part of the squad that won the club’s first Europa League title by beating Fulham in the 2010 final. He shared a dressing room with Diego Forlan and Sergio Aguero and described the experience as something he would “carry for the rest of my life”.
He also played in qualifying matches during Atletico’s 2012 Europa League campaign before joining Rayo Vallecano on loan in January. Although he did not finish the season in Madrid, Robles still feels connected to the triumph.
“As a homegrown player who had been there for 10 or 11 years, it was a great joy,” he said. “The most important thing is that Atletico Madrid won that Europa League.”
Robles worked alongside goalkeepers including David de Gea, Thibaut Courtois, Sergio Asenjo and Roberto Jimenez. He grew up with De Gea, while Courtois joined Atletico on loan from Chelsea.
He had two short spells under Diego Simeone, totalling six or seven months, but said the manager’s impact was clear immediately.
“You could see from day one what he was going to bring to the club,” Robles said. “Fourteen or 15 years later, Cholo Simeone still has the same energy, or even more. He has made Atletico Madrid competitive and created a team that never gives up.”
Robles believes Atletico are now trying to develop into a championship-winning side after investing heavily in their squad. He said that process would take time, drawing a comparison with Paris St-Germain, who spent years building before finally achieving success with the help of Luis Enrique.
Betis success and Pellegrini’s influence
Robles described Real Betis’ 2022 Copa del Rey victory as “the best gift football could have given me”.
He had spent four happy seasons at the club and was preparing to leave when Betis beat Valencia in the final at Seville’s La Cartuja. The victory came in front of the club’s supporters and was sealed by a penalty shootout involving Joaquin and Miranda, both academy graduates.
“It felt like destiny for all of us,” said Robles.
He believes Betis’ continued progress, including their qualification for the Champions League, is the result of the stability provided by manager Manuel Pellegrini and the club’s board.
Pellegrini, he said, had helped Betis remain in European competition, retain important players, build a competitive squad and strengthen the relationship between the team and its supporters.
Robles expects Betis to compete across the league, Champions League and Copa del Rey, although he warned that matches against Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich and Arsenal would bring additional physical demands. He added that Pellegrini still regarded La Liga as the priority, with European qualification now the club’s minimum expectation.
Robles also praised Joaquin, who retired at the age of 40. He said the former Spain winger remained highly competitive, could still leave team-mates “on the ground” and hated losing small-sided matches or missing games.
“He was a 40-year-old with the same ambition as when he was 25,” Robles said. “He was a key figure at the club.”
Wigan glory followed by relegation
Robles joined Wigan after Roberto Martinez gave him the opportunity to play in the Premier League. The club were relegated in 2013, but won the FA Cup by beating Manchester City, who included Aguero and Carlos Tevez.
Robles said Wigan’s achievement might never be repeated and would remain part of the club’s history.
Wigan had beaten Everton 3-0 away in the quarter-finals before defeating second-tier Millwall in the semi-finals. Robles felt the draw had helped, with Manchester United appearing in the other semi-final.
The final was followed three days later by a league match against Arsenal at Emirates Stadium. Wigan needed to win to remain in the division, while Arsenal were competing for Champions League qualification.
They failed to win and were relegated.
“Going from the high of winning the FA Cup against Manchester City to relegation three days later was strange,” Robles said. “I still have that thorn in my side, but winning the FA Cup will be remembered by many people.”
After Wigan, Robles moved to Everton when Martinez became manager. He initially competed with Tim Howard, whom he described as a club legend, before eventually becoming the first-choice goalkeeper.
When Ronald Koeman arrived, he told Robles he would be second choice to Maarten Stekelenburg. Robles said Koeman was direct and did not avoid difficult conversations, but he still played a significant number of matches that season.
Everton later signed Jordan Pickford from Sunderland, and Koeman was dismissed in December. Robles stayed until the end of the season before leaving for Real Betis.
His final English club, so far, was Leeds United. He joined a squad that included Marc Roca, Junior Firpo, Diego Llorente and Rodrigo Moreno, while sporting director Victor Orta and goalkeeping coach Marcos Abad made his role clear from the outset.
Illan Meslier was Leeds’ young goalkeeper, but Robles eventually played during a difficult campaign in which the club were relegated after a demanding final 10 matches.
Martinez and life in Portugal
Robles worked with Martinez at Wigan and Everton and said the manager had played a major part in his career.
“He gave me the chance to play in the Premier League,” Robles said. “He has a winning aura, he is extremely intelligent and has everything under control.”
Martinez later managed the Belgium and Portugal national teams. Robles believes he will eventually return to club football and succeed at a major side, adding that he had already won a title with Portugal against Spain and was highly respected there.
Robles joined Estoril after president Ignacio, who is Spanish, outlined the club’s ambitions. He admitted the team were enduring a difficult period, but said a three-week break would give them time to clear their minds and prepare for the next phase of the league.
He has been impressed by the quality and competitiveness of Portuguese football, including clubs such as Casa Pia and Estoril. He said the league regularly gives young players opportunities before selling them on.
Robles remains motivated by his love of football and his desire to improve. He said defeats and mistakes still hurt, while the age gap between him and his 22-year-old competitors meant he had to maintain his physical condition.
Estoril have seven Spanish players, and Robles believes the close geographical relationship between Spain and Portugal is one reason Spanish footballers are increasingly recruited there. He also said Spanish players are highly valued abroad, despite often having to work harder to earn recognition at home.
Finally, Robles highlighted the development of Spanish goalkeepers and their ability with the ball at their feet. He cited Unai Simon, David Raya, Joan Garcia and De Gea, saying modern goalkeepers had adapted to different tactical demands.
He used Unai Simon as an example, explaining that the Athletic Club goalkeeper may play more directly for his club but can operate as a passing goalkeeper for Spain, including finding the third man against England.
“That shows the ability and high level of goalkeepers today,” Robles said.