Levante Twenty-year-old defender Shaq Moore talks with MARCA.com

No, not the famous Ex-NBA player Shaquille O'Neal but Shaq Moore, a 20-year-old defender who spent last season with Levante's reserve team, Atlético Levante.

At present Shaq finds himself in the midst of preseason with Levante and took advantage of a break in between double sessions to speak with MARCA.com

After playing 27 matches during the 2016-17 season with Atlético Levante, Shaq says that his hope is to win a spot in Juan Muñiz's first team.

"Everything is going well, I'm getting minutes in the preseason friendlies and I feel good," said Shaq, who added, "I'm optimistic. I think that I'm doing a good job, the coach has given me good feedback and the most important thing is to keep working. I'm going step by step."

Shaq was the unquestioned starter at the start of last season with Atlético Levante until last February when he lost his spot in the team. There's no doubt that it was a tough moment for the right back from Atlanta, Georgia.

"Personally it was a tough spell, a difficult moment, but I learned that I had to keep working and always be prepared. It was a good lesson," commented Shaq.

Shaq has now spent a good amount of time in Spanish football. In 2015 he made the leap to Europe and joined Huracán Valencia, but the club's financial problems made it so Shaq had to find a new club.

After a brief stint with Oviedo B, Shaq joined Levante where he is very happy.

"I like playing here in Levante a lot. I already know the city well. I get along with my teammates, so I'm fortunate. It's a good situation for me," affirmed Shaq.

If Shaq ends up playing with the first team in a first division match, he would become just the fourth U.S. player in the entire history of Spain's top level, following in the footsteps of goalkeeper Kasey Keller (Rayo Vallecano), forward Jozy Altidore (Villarreal) and defender Oguchi Onyewu (Málaga).

Shaq is motivated to try to pave the way for a generation of U.S. players to end up playing in La Liga.

"It would mean a lot to debut in La Liga this season with Levante. If it happens, it would be a dream come true, and I would like it if U.S players came to Spanish football. But first I have to be patient and stay focused on working hard," noted Shaq.

On the playing field Shaq has improved in many aspects, technically and tactically. In the dressing room as well he is adapting to things. Just the other day, since this is his first preseason with the first team, Shaq had to sing "Despacito" to all his teammates , which provoked plenty of laughter. In general, it can be said that Shaq is having a lot of fun in Levante.

"Yes, my teammates make fun of me for being from the U.S., but it's all fun. They ask me why I don't play basketball like everyone else from the U.S.... and especially because my name is Shaq!" laughed Shaq.

It's possible that if Shaq continues making a good impression at Levante, he could enter into national team coach Bruce Arena's plans. For Shaq, to play with the senior national team after having been part of the Under-17 and Under-20 national teams would be another great step forward in his career.

"I haven't been in touch with anyone from the national team, but yes of course, to have the chance to play with the national team would be great. I've got a lot of work to do though, but it's a goal that I want to achieve some day," concluded Shaq.