The WiZink Center requests the ‘Ballon d’Or’ for Rodri and Joselu
Messages of encouragement to Sergio Rico and request for faith in this new project from the internationals
MADRID, 19 Jun. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Spanish soccer team received the affection of its fans this Monday, with which it was able to celebrate at the WiZink Center in Madrid the title won in the League of Nations 2022-2023 after defeating Croatia on penalties in the final at the De Kuip Stadium from Rotterdam (Netherlands).
It was a long day for the national team that landed in the capital after midday with captain Jordi Alba, coach Luis de la Fuente and RFEF president Luis Rubiales leading the expedition along with the champions’ trophy.
From there and after going through the Palacio de La Zarzuela to be received and congratulated by HM King Felipe VI, to later continue with the party in a more private way before heading to the WiZink Center, the meeting point with its fans, to which the RFEF entertained with a musical show with DJ Nano, DJ Barce, Twin Melody, Sofía Ellar and Gemeliers to make the wait easier.
Finally, at around 8:40 p.m., Luis de la Fuente went on stage to confirm the arrival of the internationals, who were presented one by one by their bib number, although the two captains, Jordi Alba and Álvaro Morata, remained in the end. They came out with the champions trophy.
The left back wanted to start his speech by sending “a big hug for Sergio Rico on behalf of the entire squad”. “We are very happy that you are improving and from here we send you a lot of strength,” said the Catalan addressing the PSG goalkeeper, conscious and without sedation since Monday after his accident with a horse on May 28.
Alba recalled that it had been “a very long road” to the conquest of the League of Nations and did not forget to thank all those who had participated such as “the previous ‘staff’ with Luis Enrique and the previous captain, Sergio Busquets “.
“I want to emphasize the work of Luis de la Fuente, I think we have to have full confidence and we must be more united than ever. He is doing a spectacular job and with an unbeatable squad. Thanks to those of you who supported us at the stadium and from your homes , we are super proud to be Spanish,” he said.
Jesús Navas, who at 37 returned to the national team to become the first footballer to win a Eurocup, World Cup and League of Nations, also sent Rico “a lot of strength” and praised an “incredible” group that has had “excitement “. “After so much time we deserved to be all together celebrating a title,” he recalled.
RODRI: “WE HAVE AN INCREDIBLE GROUP, KEEP TRUSTING”
And later it was the turn of one of the internationals who received the most affection, such as Rodri Hernández, who was received with the ‘Rodri’s on fire’ that his Manchester City fans have made popular and with cries from WiZink asking for the ‘Ballon d’Or’ for the midfielder.
The man from Madrid confessed that both he and Aymeric Laporte arrived “a little harmed” from the celebrations for the Champions League at the concentration, but that they made it clear to the coach that they were going to give “everything so that Spain could return to the top”.
“We have an incredible group and, above all, young and very excited. This title is the first stone for a very beautiful path that we have ahead of us and I am sure that this group will bring more joy, keep trusting in them”, he assured.
The striker Joselu Mato was also honored, for whom the ‘Ballon d’Or’ was also requested and who admitted that initially he was going to take “the fifth penalty” and his happiness for having signed for Real Madrid, “the best team in the world “. “Hala Madrid”, he yelled to the delight of the public.
In addition, the midfielder Fabián Ruiz put the comic note by assuring that he had “tried to surpass” Jack Grealish, viral on social networks during the City celebrations. “But it has been impossible,” he stressed.
Dani Carvajal, author of the decisive penalty that gave the title, closed the speeches by recognizing “the fantastic people of this ‘staff'”. “It’s difficult to find such good people in this profession. When I scored I felt very proud and I hope you too that our flag shines at the top and that we have a hell of a country,” he said.
The party at the WiZink Center put the finishing touch with the international cloak for a Luis de la Fuente who remained in the background and gave prominence to his players, and with the traditional ‘We are the Champions’.