The performance of the Spanish national team in the last two editions of the World Cup was disappointing. However, the hopes of La Furia Roja's troops to return to be favorites in the 2022 World Cup edition in Qatar soared again.
Spain, which was actually the 2010 World Cup champions in South Africa, quickly declined. Spain immediately stopped in the group stage in the 2014 edition in Brazil. Four years later in Russia, Spain also only made it to the last 16.
Even so, the young midfielder of the Spanish national team Pedri did not make this fact a guarantee that Spain could not speak much. According to him, the chance is still there.
That ambition is now firmly held by all the Spanish national team players ahead of the 2022 World Cup which will begin at the end of November 2022.
Favorite Yourself
Pedri throw away the distrust of many people against the Spanish national team. For him, the distrust of others does not really matter as long as the player believes in and favors himself.
"I know maybe people don't expect much from us anymore. They probably don't see us as favourites either," he said.
"But we don't think so. In our hearts we see ourselves as the favourites."
Relax and Enjoy
The player who is only 19 years old tries to calm down and enjoy every process he goes through with the team. He believes the team can overcome the pressure from the outside because this team has everything he admits.
"Of course there is always pressure at Barcelona and the national team. But what you need to do is try to calm down and enjoy it," Pedri said.
"In the national team and Barcelona, the team already has everything. We're working hard until the end of the season to win everything we're going to play."
Not Easy Group
Hope and ambition are fine, but the Spanish national team must step out of Group E first. Incidentally, this is not an easy group.
Spain will be in the same group with Germany who are also still favorites to win the World Cup. In addition, there are two dark horse teams that cannot be underestimated, the two teams are Japan and Costa Rica.
25 Spanish National Team Players for the UEFA Nations League
Goalkeepers: Unai Simon (Athletic Bilbao), Robert Sanchez (Brighton), David Raya (Brentford)
Defenders: Jordi Alba (Barcelona), Pau Torres (Villarreal), Jose Gaya (Valencia), Diego Llorente (Leeds United), Eric Garcia (Barcelona), Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea), Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid)
Midfielders: Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Rodri (Manchester City), Pedri (Barcelona), Koke (Atletico Madrid), Gavi (Barcelona), Marcos Llorente (Atletico Madrid), Carlos Soler (Paris Saint-Germain), Hugo Guillamon (Valencia) )
Forwards: Borja Iglesias (Real Betis), Nico Williams (Athletic Bilbao), Pablo Sarabia (Paris Saint-Germain), Alvaro Morata (Atletico Madrid), Marco Asensio (Real Madrid), Yeremi Pino (Villarreal), Ferran Torres (Barcelona)
Source: Sport