David Raya put the spain world cup goalkeeper debate in its place on Saturday, backing Unai Simón and saying Spain are in very good hands before Monday’s opener against Cape Verde in Atlanta. Spain begins Group H with a selection call still hanging over its No. 1 spot, but Raya made clear where he stands.
Raya Supports Simón
“Spain is in very good hands no matter who gets to play,” Raya said. He went further on Simón, saying: “I think Unai Simón, since his debut, has raised the level of the goalkeeping position. We won the Nations League and the European Championship with him. And I think he’s a great goalkeeper who has given us these titles as the starter.”
Raya also shrugged off the competition for the shirt. “It’s normal (to have a debate),” he said. “There’s always been a lot of competition among the goalkeepers that we’ve had. It’s about camaraderie, striving to be better, to make the coach’s job difficult. We’re all here to help the team. Whoever gets to play will do their best.”
De la Fuente’s Goalkeeper Call
Unai Simón has been the regular starter under coach Luis de la Fuente, but the discussion has sharpened after strong seasons from Raya and Joan García. Raya helped Arsenal win the Premier League and reach the Champions League final, while García helped Barcelona win the Spanish league and was named the competition’s best goalkeeper.
De la Fuente has not named his starting goalkeeper in advance. He used all three goalkeepers in Spain’s warmups ahead of the World Cup, and Simón started the final preparation match. Spain also held its last practice session on Saturday at its camp in Tennessee before traveling to Atlanta.
Spain’s Group H Start
Spain enters the tournament trying to chase a second World Cup title after winning its lone one in 2010. Since then, it has not gone further than the last 16 at the World Cup, including elimination by Morocco in the round of 16 in 2022.
The squad will be full for Monday’s match after Víctor Muñoz, Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams returned to training this week after recovering from injuries. Spain’s opening test against Cape Verde comes before games against Saudi Arabia on June 21 in Atlanta and Uruguay on June 26 in Guadalajara, Mexico.
