Garay also spoke about being coached by Jose Mourinho, and analysed the situation of legends like his compatriot, Lionel Messi and his former teammate, Cristiano Ronaldo.
Ezequiel, thank you for accepting our invitation for this interview. You joined Real Madrid as one of Argentina's top prospects. Looking back, what is the most important thing you learned when you arrived in Spain?
"I came to Spain very young, at 18 going on 19. My first club was Racing de Santander. I was a kid who had never flown on a plane, who barely knew the world, and I started to experience things I had never experienced before.
"I think, because of my personality - being humble and hardworking - I managed to carve out my own space and place. And then, I think things just started to happen naturally."
You mentioned Racing de Santander. Are you happy now that they are back in the top division after 14 years?
"Yes, it's a huge joy because I had some very beautiful years there, and we achieved some very important things. I think it's something to be really happy about. I felt like just another Racing fan for having defended that club."
You shared a dressing room at Real Madrid with big stars like Sergio Ramos, Ricardo Carvalho, and Pepe. Was it very difficult to find a spot to play more in that team?
"The competition there is day by day, match by match. And in a team like Madrid, you have the best players or almost all the best players in the world, right? So it gets very tough, but at the same time, the competition was very enjoyable and very healthy.
"Even though there were some very important players ahead of me, I think I played quite a bit and did a good job during my time at Real Madrid. I'm very proud of that."
Did you have any mentor, so to speak, at Real Madrid? Someone who approached you more or explained things to you? Because we know that at Madrid, the demands are extremely high.
"Yes, well, I think everyone did. I arrived quite young, and I think with everyone's help, I integrated as quickly as possible. I was also lucky that there were Argentine players, which made things much easier. The adaptation was very good and very quick."
Mourinho - 'A great coach'
What makes that club so special? Is it the media, the pressure, the dressing room? How did you notice it?
"I think it's a world of its own. Madrid is the best club in the world. All the other teams are there, but Madrid is Madrid. It was a wonderful experience."
You worked with Jose Mourinho in your last year at Real Madrid. How was he with the defenders? What did he ask of you?
"I think he worked on all aspects of the game. But more on the defensive side, because Madrid always goes out to win on any pitch. And there's always been this myth, right? From midfield forward, with all the great players Madrid had, the defence always suffered the most.
"That was the area that needed the most work because there was a lot of ground to cover and not many players to do it."
Speaking of Mourinho, do you think he is the right profile for the current Real Madrid as a coach?
"I don't know, honestly, he's a great coach. I don't know if it's the right time to bring him back because I don't follow football that closely. I can't really comment much on the situation of each coach or team.
"But what I can say from my time with him is that he's a great coach. The truth is, he's a winner."
Madrid always has a lot of talent up front and many stars who don't help much in defence. What's that like? How does it affect things tactically?
"I think that to be an attacking team and not be so exposed defensively, you need to have a very strong midfield. Just look at all the consecutive Champions Leagues Madrid won. The midfield they had was very balanced with Casemiro, Kroos, and Modric. So, for me, that's the key to being a great team both in defence and attack."
How do you see the situation at Real Madrid right now? There are a lot of rumours, for example, that Kylian Mbappe isn't happy. How do you handle these kinds of things, publicly or privately?
"I think that besides being workers, professionals, footballers, or public figures, we're human and we have lives, children... It's up to each person to choose when to travel, go out for dinner, spend time with family... That depends on each individual, but it's not easy to manage a dressing room with so many stars.
"In my time, Madrid had Kaka, Cristiano, Benzema, Higuain, Di Maria... I mean, a lot of very important people. And I think it's not easy. But if you have a good leader, a good coach who can control all aspects of what goes on in the dressing room and outside of football, you've already won a lot."
Then you moved to Benfica, a great team in Portugal. Did you find what you were looking for there? To have continuity and play, in a good team, as well as in a competitive league?
"Every footballer who starts out wants to play. When I was at Racing de Santander and Real Madrid came for me, there are teams you just can't say no to. At that moment, I said yes, I went to the best club in the world, lived incredible and unforgettable experiences, and won a title.
"The competition kept getting tougher and I played less. The World Cup was coming up, too, so what I wanted was to play, and Benfica gave me that opportunity. I think it was the best decision I ever made in my life, no doubt. Because I always say, I had some of my best moments as a footballer there."
You enjoyed some special nights there, especially against Juventus, that match where you scored a goal. What was special about that Benfica team, and what memories do you have?
"For me, we had an amazing team. You can see it, two years in a row reaching the Europa League final. Football has its things, and we couldn't win them, but then we won everything in Portugal. We had an incredible squad. I remember Aimar, Saviola, Luizao, Cardozo, Gaitan, Salvio."
The 2014 World Cup and 'a sadness that's hard to shake'
What was it like playing with Pablo Aimar? Do you think he could have had an even bigger career?
"Well, I think everyone chooses where to play and how to shape their career as a footballer. But I think there are players who don't need to prove anything on the pitch. For me, one of those players was Pablito Aimar.
"I think even though he didn't play for Madrid, Barcelona, or other such big teams, it wasn't necessary to know what a great player he was."
You mentioned Valencia. You won the Copa del Rey in 2019. What does that title mean compared to others you've won?
"It was very important, honestly, but at the same time, it came with a lot of sadness."
You know why I ask? Because I spoke with Santi Canizares, who also played for Real Madrid and Valencia, and he said that titles with the latter had a different flavour.
"Of course, because the difference is that with Madrid you could reach finals more easily. With smaller teams, it's obviously harder, and the feeling was different. It was bittersweet to win the Copa del Rey against a Barcelona with Messi, Suarez, etc., because we also had a great team and a fantastic coach like Marcelino."
"Winning the Copa del Rey, such an important title after so many years, and then what happened afterwards (Valencia's downfall and Garay suffering a ruptured right ACL)... It brings a lot of sadness and regret."
You played in the World Cup final in 2014. How do you feel about that final?
"I don't think I'll ever forget it. I think it's an unforgettable final, a sadness that's hard to shake, mainly because of how that World Cup went, how we arrived, all the doubts people had... Even though we had the best player in the world. Everyone doubted the Argentina team, but I think we had an almost perfect World Cup.
"If I remember correctly, I think we conceded four or five goals. It was almost perfect except we didn't win the title. We deserved to win that final and give that generation of players the World Cup we so deserved."
Argentina later won the World Cup with Messi. Do you see any difference compared to your generation?
"No, I think every generation has had the same ambition to win the World Cup and the Copa América. And if you ask me if I'd sign now to have lost that final so Argentina could win the World Cup or Messi could finally get his World Cup and Copa America, I'd sign without a doubt.
"Having lost two Copa America finals and a World Cup so that Argentina could later win two Copa Américas in a row and the World Cup, I'd take that deal for sure."
'A World Cup of farewells'
Looking ahead to the next World Cup, do you still think Messi will play as big a role as always, or is it time to give more prominence to young talents?
"No one can predict the future, right? But I think it could be Leo's last World Cup, and I think it will be special. It's also the case for Cristiano, Neymar, and many others who have been competing at the highest level for big things. It's going to be different, a World Cup of farewells, and I hope Argentina can win it again."
How do you see the national team? Are they one of the favourites? Do you see them winning?
"Yes, yes, absolutely. I see them as one of the favourites. Wherever Leo or Cristiano are, those teams are the favourites. France is coming in very strong, too. And of course, we can't forget the last European champions, Spain."
And if we take Leo Messi out of the equation, which Argentine player excites you the most?
"Like my son, I like 'La Arana', Julián Alvarez. My son is a huge Atletico de Madrid fan and he really likes Julian Alvarez."
How do you handle it at home? You as a Madridista...
"No, no, I'm not."
You're not a fan of the club?
"No, no. I support whoever he's a fan of, and if God wills it and one day he plays for a team, I'll support whichever team he plays for."
Thank you very much for your time.
"A pleasure, likewise."