The 24 summoned by Luis Enrique for this European Championship are well known to everyone on the pitch. They have been dazzling for years in their clubs and in the National Team, that is why they have the prize of playing a European Championship.
However, there are more personal details of the internationals that are not as well known to the public. In this analysis of each La Roja footballer, an attempt is made to go a little deeper into that other side. Anecdotes from his childhood, hobbies outside of football, his beginnings in the lower categories … The objective is to know the personal aspect of the players who will make the whole country vibrate during the next month.
Unai Simon
Many years ago, back in 2014, Miguel Ángel Spain (goalkeeper coach for the lower teams) made a prediction: “A kid from Athletic is coming from behind and is going to mark an era.” Your eye never fails. After that, Unai was the European Under-19 (2015), Under-21 (2019) champion and a starter in the Absolute.
From Gea
Used since childhood to overcome obstacles. One of his most difficult moments came in his last season in the Cadet category. His place at Atlético was not clear and he was very close to leaving for Moscardó, a historic club in Madrid. Finally he stayed and triumphed as rojiblanco.
Robert Sanchez
Probably the most unknown to the Spanish public. A great goalkeeper (1.97m), he began his career in the quarry of his hometown (Cartagena) and later signed for Levante and from there to English Brighton. A peculiar path but that has ended with the deserved reward of the Eurocup.
Azpilicueta
If he could clone Azpilicueta, Luis Enrique could form an alternative bubble and gather eleven of his twins to form a team of guarantees. He started as a right winger, moved to the right-back and at Chelsea he has played in all positions of the defense. You just need to know how the goal is given …
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If one day he competes in the Games in the Olympic Village they would doubt whether to put him with the footballers or with the triathletes. He sleeps in a special bed, takes care of every portion of food he eats and it is impossible to find a trace of fat on his body. The result? A multipurpose that solves any problem.
Pau Torres
His history with the National Team brings back good memories. It was Jesús Paredes, who was Luis Aragonés' physical trainer in 2008, who telephoned De la Fuente: “There is a terrific center-back in Málaga.” There Pau played on loan. In the following list of the Sub-21 his name appeared among those summoned.
Laporte
He was born in Agen (France), his name (Aymeric) comes from Germanic, but he felt like a child on the first day of school when he put on the Spain shirt for the first time. His versatility and forcefulness in defense solves the ballot for Luis Enrique after the absence of Sergio Ramos.
Eric Garcia
The son that any mother dreams of: educated, responsible and a good student. He left at a very young age on a football Erasmus for Manchester and now he returns home as an adult and a magnificent footballer. The summer of your dreams: Eurocup, Games and return to Barcelona.
Diego Llorente
It is a personal weakness of Luis Enrique, who trusts him in any circumstance. The test is the Asturian's first list, in which the central was injured but also joined the concentration because the coach wanted him to be in the talks and begin to learn his mechanisms.
Jordi Alba
He was at the center of the controversy at the beginning of Luis Enrique's stage as coach, because he was not called up. His good performance at Barcelona changed the situation. He was one of the youngsters in the golden stage of the Spanish titles and now he faces the tournament as one of the captains.
Gayá
He arrived at the Valencia academy with the dream of being like David Villa, his childhood idol. He continued on his way at the beginning, playing in attacking positions. However, in the quarry they soon saw that it was not the new Villa, but the replacement for Jordi Alba. Now the two share a dressing room at La Roja …
Busquets
The case of the captain of the National Team is strange, because it took a long time to enter the Federation's radar. The first time he wore the Spain shirt was with the Under-21s, after making his debut in Barcelona's first team. He only played three games: Del Bosque was not long in recruiting him for the Absolute.
Rodri
The City's midfield has a peculiar personality. Skip the social networks: neither Twitter nor Instagram … He always liked normality: playing in the Villarreal first team he lived in the residence of the quarry. It is different also with the ball at the feet: it has tranquility where others tremble.
Koke
He arrived at the National Team when he was 15 years old, coinciding with Fernando Hierro's first months as sports director. It was to play some friendlies with the U-16. Since then he has gone through all the categories leaving his mark: he is an example for the rest of his teammates on and off the field.
Thiago
In his case, he did not arrive with bread under his arm, but with a ball: he is the son of Mazinho, a former Celta footballer. The curiosity is given that Rafinha, his brother, plays with Brazil. But Thiago always shone with Spain, although he was born in Italy (in San Pietro Vernotico). He is facing his great moment with the National Team.
Pedri
On February 5, 2018, he could change his life: that day he arrived in Valdebebas for a test with Madrid. He returned to the Canary Islands disappointed because they told him it was not worth it. Three years after that he is an idol in Barcelona. There he lives accompanied by his brother, who is a confessor and a cook in equal measure.
Fabian
Born in Los Palacios, the town of Jesús Navas, he took another path: with only seven years he entered the Betis quarry. When he was little they called him La Pulga because of his short stature. Nobody dared to keep the nickname years later, when he made his first team debut at 1.90 meters.
Dani Olmo
At 23, he can live in almost any corner of Europe and greet the baker every morning: he speaks Spanish, Croatian and Catalan fluently and is fluent in English and German. He still has time ahead to cheer up with others who are more difficult. The Japanese at the Tokyo Games this summer?
Ferran torres
As a young man he dreamed of being like Cristiano Ronaldo and he is on the way to achieving it. He started as a pure winger, but with Guardiola he has increasingly focused his position because the goals are dropped. In addition, his obsession with training, food and physical preparation are reminiscent of the Portuguese.
Adama
Some of you will be surprised if you open your Selection luggage and find several bottles of body lotion for babies. It has an explanation: Adama Traoré uses it to put it on his arms before jumping onto the pitch. This prevents rivals from catching you every time you try to overwhelm them.
Sarabia
The call with the National Team caught him by surprise. So much so that he had to cancel a vacation with his partner that he already had planned. He has a low profile, on and off the field, but he wastes talent. He came out of the Madrid quarry, triumphed in Seville and has earned respect in Paris. Now touch the Selection.
Oyarzabal
His ability to control aerial balls is extraordinary, although he has a secret: he wears a 47! standing despite the fact that he is not excessively tall (1.81m.). It's simpler that way … Of course, his coolness when taking penalties has nothing to do with the size of his shoes.
Morata
He dreamed of playing in many clubs and almost always fulfilled it: Real Madrid, Atlético, Chelsea, Juventus … Where he was always clear about what to do is at the national team level, because he has been scoring goals in all categories in Spain for years. Now Luis Enrique needs them more than ever in the Absolute.
Gerard Moreno
The scar on his face reminds him that soccer has been in his blood since he was a child, because he made it with a futsal goal in his childhood. His celebration in the final of the Europa League, fulfilling a promise with comedian David Broncano, gave a lot to talk about. What will you have prepared for the Eurocup?