All the media attention lavished on him last summer has not changed is personality one bit. The young lad from Igorre, who left the warmth of his family to follow his dream, is just as shy as he was back then despite being one of the BBVA League stars. His discourse only transmits affection and gratitude for Real Betis, the club that launched him to football greatness. Beñat Etxebarría is set to play Pepe Mel's team for the first time since he left the club for his new club Athletic Club de Bilbao. The ex-Betis midfielder, with his usual easygoing style, has been getting calls non stop on his mobile. One of those calls, just after he finished a training session with Ernesto Valverde, was affectionately received from www.realbetisbalompie.es. Undoubtedly the star of tomorrow's match, Beñat knows he is going to have to take on the role of enemy but as he said himself, no one knows what the future holds in store, even if that horizon sees his return to Heliópolis sporting the green-and-white shirt.

After such a short time, the League calendar has brought him back to Betis, The club that defined his career… I'm really looking forward to this match but also with great respect. I owe almost everything to Betis and the team mates I had there. It's not just another match for me, it's the most significant one for me this season.

I suppose you don't regret the decision. I feel that stage had come to an end; But was it hard to choose the destination you did? It was really difficult because Betis had invested in me. I was really happy in Seville, it was like home for me. That's how I felt on the pitch in every match. It was obvious how happy I was. Eventually, what had to happen came to be and it was beneficial for both parties. Beneficial for everyone, for me, Betis and Athletic. I still have a very special place for Betis.

What were the first months like on your return to the north? I feel good. I'm back home. I'm back with my family and it's good to be with my old friends after such a long time. I train every day with colleagues I already knew from before, so it was really easy. Having to adapt after being away for such a long time hasn't been so easy but being with people you know made it quicker.

What a start to the season. An indisputable starter and a goal against Celta. It is important to play and be there the boss believes in me. I work hard every day to get the playing time I'm getting. I'm working to prolong the enjoyment and to have a good season. That's what I came to do.

Athletic made a great effort to sign you. At Betis the pressure was on as the midfield play maker. Now you are under a different type of pressure. I had left everything behind, I just worked as hard as I could to help the team. Here in Bilbao I'm doing the same. I might do better or worse but I don't let the pressure get to me.

Out of respect, should you step down and let someone else take the free kicks on Thursday… -Laughter-. That depends on the boss. If I have to take them I will, as always. If I do score I won't celebrate out of respect for Betis.

What do you miss about Seville? I miss a little of everything. The team mates I was with for so long, the city, the Club. I miss all that. I had a lot of friends outside football. For example I miss Cañas, who lived with me, and Rubén, who I spent a lot of time with. I also remember Fabricio. Outside the club we shared everything, 24 hours a day. They were my second family, I looked to them for support when things weren't going well.

What do you think of Betis' start to the League? It has started well, in the Europa League they have done what they had to do but they haven't been rewarded with goals. I have watched all the matches except the one against Espanyol, they were good matches. They are playing their football, the boss must be happy, these are phases. They are playing the football the boss believes in, they should be pleased with themselves. It's unfortunate the ball hasn't ended up in the net. They didn't deserve the final scores against Real Madrid and Celta.

You were a point of reference in the midfield; Do you think they miss you? Betis has got over my departure, and well. They have signed quality and experienced players who are very ambitious in the League and the Europa League. I don't think they miss me. Betis has all the players they need for the three competitions. There are young players and those who bring experience to the team, they have a good team.

You will come up against a Betis without Rubén Castro… We know he's a great player. I know he is able to win matches on his own. He's an important loss. Even so, without him in the line-up Betis has played good matches and have easily created scoring opportunities. Molina is very good and Salva is incredible. I don't think Rubén's absence will be noticed, but he will be missed in the match, it's always good to play with important players.

Will there be more Spanish caps for Beñat? I hope I get the chance to play with the national team again, to do so is a dream. It will be tough to get in but that's what I'm working for day after day. It gives me great pride to be amongst the best in the world.

What has the run up to the match with your ex-team mates been like? Any grudges? I've just got back from a trip and I have had a lot of interviews. I have been talking to Rubén today. There is a healthy grudge between us, but tomorrow I will chat to them about how things are going, the hotel they are staying at and other minor things –laughter-. It's always good to be competitive but nothing that's hurtful. I have some good colleagues there, and they are my friends.

When predicting the outcome do you favour your team? We'll will 2-1. Of course I think it will go our way. I hope it's going to be a close match, good to watch and we all enjoy it, players and fans. I hope everyone gets to watch a great match, but the 3 points a going to be for the home team –laughter-. We have to take every match as it comes, we'll find out the result at the end. We rely on home matches. We have to make our home stadium a castle. That's how we shall move up the table.

Did you leave Igorre in search of a dream and come back an idol? It's a small village with 3000 inhabitants. They treat me the same as everyone else, they have known me since I was little, the young lad that loved playing football. They think of me as they always have, I'm no better than anyone else. The best part is that I get to see the family on a daily basis after having been away for so long.

You formed a great partnership with Cañas both on and off the pitch. ¿Is there anyone like that in the Athletic changing room? -Laughter-. There's only one Cañas. It's hard to find someone with his kind of humour, he was always smiling. It was great being with him. He picked me up when things weren't going well. He is like a brother to me. I had many bad times, being away from my family affected mehe helped me a lot on personal issues. I thank him for that. I was an only child, now I have a brother.

Being so timid, when you said goodbye you couldn't hide your emotions… It was hard. I felt at home, it was like saying goodbye to my family. It was the same when I left home. I had to cry as they had given me everything. It was hard to control my emotions and express my feelings about the supporters. Thanks to Betis my dreams came true. I'm so happy, I am just another Betis fan. Maybe you thought it would never come to that, but everything is cyclical and you have to embrace the fact and decide which way to go. It was beneficial for both parties. I take fond memories with me from Seville. Arriving at Seville in the Second Division and leaving in the Europa League meant I could leave with my head held high.

You have just got back home but you have a long career ahead of you. Can you imagine returning to Betis some day? I haven't thought about it. Maybe it's too far away but I wouldn't dismiss it at all. A lot happens in football, one day you're here the next you're somewhere else. I wouldn't dismiss coming back because Betis is my second team. I'm not considering it but I don't reject the idea.

Tell me the truth. How do you feel when you see the European Betis you helped to build? I feel a bit jealous, it would be great to play in the Europa League. I watch them on the TV and I feel proud to say that the team is where it is thanks to all of us who were there helping. It's as if I were playing too. I saw them stand up face to face with Olympique Lyonnais. I hope they go all the way. I will feel part of it having contributed to the classification like any other Betis player.