The forward has been so prolific this season he has been touted to make the Spain squad for Euro 2016 and says it would be a dream if he could follow in Fernando Torres' path
On loan at Eibar from Atletico Madrid, Borja’s prolific form has been such that he has been touted as a candidate to go with Spain to Euro 2016, but the 23-year-old has admitted that his career could have been very different had he not made the decision to change position as a youngster.
Initially he started life as a goalkeeper, like his father before him, but he was talked out of following in his dad’s footsteps at a young age and is now shining in La Liga as a forward.
“I started as a goalkeeper,” he told Goal. “My father was goalkeeper coach and he always told me that goalkeepers suffer a lot - everyone would always blame the goalkeeper. He gave me a few tips but decided to change my position. I changed but it is true that I still love being goalkeeper.”
Having come through the ranks at Atleti since 1996 as a four-year-old, Fernando Torres is naturally an icon for the forward.
“Fernando has always been a reference in terms of the club and national team as well,” he said. “He is a mirror in which I can look.
“I’m very happy he got his 100th goal for the club.”
Torres scored Spain’s winning goal in Euro 2008, and rumours are abound that Borja may be given the opportunity to go to the forthcoming European Championship with the national team, a possibility that excites the young forward.
“If it’s true that Vicente del Bosque thinks of me, it is a great joy,” he said. “Hopefully I can be in that group of great players in the future. Now I have to fight for it.
“I have to be focused on Eibar, do good things, and hopefully he will give me a place in the side one day.
“Euro 2016 does not depend on me. I know there is a super squad of talented players and it is difficult to be in it. But hey, I'm trying to make things right with my club and if he thinks I should go, I would be the happiest man in the world.”
With 15 goals in 21 league outings this season, including eight in his last six, Borja has been one of the league’s most prolific marksmen, finding the target more than the likes of Lionel Messi, Antoine Griezmann and Gareth Bale.
“I know it is circumstantial because in the end they ended up with many more goals,” he continued. “They create many chances and have a huge level of play but the important thing is that you can help the team to get points. I want to get many more goals, and it’s great to be in the fight with these renowned players.”
Currently Borja leads the race for the Zarra Trophy, the award that credits the league’s top Spanish scorer each season. He leads Deportivo La Coruna’s Lucas Perez by one goal and Athletic’s Aritz Aduriz by a couple.
“The truth is that it would be very nice to win the prize,” he admitted. “I know it'll be very difficult, as there are many great strikers, but hopefully I can fight for it at least.”
If this is his short-term goal, in the future he would like to return and shine at his parent club.
“In the end I belong to Atletico. Hopefully I can win a place there in the future to be there because I started there from when I was very small and it’s my dream,” he said. “I know it's very difficult because of the strikers they have and have had recently. The level is very high. I’m trying to do well here in Eibar and demonstrate that I have the level.”
- Goal