Alejandro Sánchez de la Rosa, at 28 years of age, has become a symbol of perseverance in and out of rugby. A player for the Spanish national rugby team from a very young age, Alejandro began his sporting career at the age of 12. However, his story transcends physical achievements; what really stands out is his unwavering mental fortitude.

Since he was a child, Alejandro has always been competitive, a characteristic that he himself acknowledges: “I have always been competitive. My parents had never signed me up for any sport, but I competed in everything with a classmate. Suddenly that classmate took up rugby and I followed suit.” This friendly rivalry marked the start of a remarkable career.

His natural talent and determination quickly catapulted him to higher competitive levels, joining the national academies at U-16 level. Alejandro stands out for his speed and skill, but his career has not been without obstacles. “I had never had any injuries in my career, but right after COVID, I tore my cruciate and meniscus in one leg,” shares Alejandro, a significant setback due to a traumatic tackle.

WHEN AN INJURY MAKES YOU “EMBARRASSED”

Contrary to the standard recovery times of 9-10 months for such injuries, Alejandro returned to the field in just 6 months, and to play in two tournaments no less. In the first, Nairobi, he was the top scorer, but in the second tournament his plasty came loose, making it clear that it was too soon for him to return to the field.

After another operation and a 12-month break, he returned to play, but then he began to feel discomfort in his other knee, as he had torn the meniscus in his other leg. “I honestly couldn’t believe it and I didn’t want to accept it because of the shame of having injured myself again, because on this occasion the injury wasn’t traumatic,” says De la Rosa. 

“Our sport has been the “no pain”, the “we’re macho” sport”.

What makes Alejandro’s story especially resonant is his ability to face these challenges, not only physically, but also mentally. “Psychologically, I don’t know if it’s a good thing or a bad thing, but I haven’t been down yet and I’ve always had the motivation to come back,” he reflects. This perspective reveals a deeper insight into elite sport, where fierce competition often relegates mental and physical well-being to the background. “Things have changed a lot now, but since we were kids our sport has been the ‘no pain’, ‘we’re macho’ sport.

When De la Rosa later returns to the field, unfortunately, due to another tackle, the inner side of his non-operated leg breaks. Both his knees say “ciao“, as he puts it. “The last two seasons have been a struggle of thinking “what’s going on, I can’t believe it…”. But on the other hand I feel that this is my path and I have to take it forward”.

Currently, Alejandro is recovering from the last operation and is treating two cartilage ulcers in both knees. For him, his first goal is to play: “It’s hard that in an Olympic year I can’t be at my peak but I trust myself and my coaches do too.”

For the moment, his next aim is to reach the final of the World Series in Madrid in May in good shape. “I haven’t set a date for my return, obviously I’m looking forward to it, so the sooner the better, but I’m also facing the possibility of not making it”.

In addition to his sporting career, Alejandro has also expressed an interest in pursuing a career in mental health, especially working with young athletes. He acknowledges that they have access to emotional support but psychological support in elite sport from former athletes is scarce and he dreams of changing that. “I’ve seen so many players who because of injuries or family problems don’t give 100% and end up fading away,” stressing the importance of more robust emotional support. “We need a coach who has been through a similar situation, someone with sporting experience to help us emotionally. A figure who has been through the same as us or who knows what it’s like to miss out on a call-up or go through an injury”.

PEOPLE AND RESULTS

As De la Rosa says, “The problem with competition is that the person is not valued here. The results are valued. Sport is wonderful but at a competitive level the important thing is the results. If you’re not there, someone else will come in, if you can’t give 100%, someone else will. That’s the line you have to be on to be able to fulfill your dream”.

His story, however, is not limited to sport. De la Rosa is interested in the business world, and during this break he also took the opportunity to finish his university degree in marketing and advertising. “I am very interested in the world of work and knowing what will happen next. I don’t want to be a cork floating in the water. I would like to stay involved in sport, but I am also interested in the business world. I think the two things are compatible,” he adds.

In a final reflection, Alejandro shares his philosophy of life and sport: “The best thing about being an elite athlete is that you prove to yourself what you are capable of.  It doesn’t matter how many times I have to be on a physio’s stretcher dying in pain, with needles in my knees or training alone when I don’t feel like it. Let another 12 months of hell come if it means I get to go back into a stadium with 80,000 people and give it my all on the pitch. His journey is a testament to the constant struggle between personal aspiration and the rigors of elite sport.

Alejandro continues to train hard, hoping to overcome his injuries and return to competing at the highest level. His story is not just about rugby; it is about facing every challenge with courage and turning every obstacle into an opportunity to learn and grow, both on the field and in life.

Photo credit: World Rugby