All play, no work: Spain’s World Cup syllabus includes studies with sport

NEWDELHI: It is a rather silly question to a Spanish player, but the response from the youngster is still funny. What’s tougher, an exam or a match? “An exam, because in a match you can do what you feel like!”

Spanish U-17 player Nacho Diaz laughs at his wit, while team-mates Marc Vidal and Diego Pampin nod in agreement. The Spanish team have stormed into the World Cup semifinals, but they still have to spend an hour daily for studies.

“The idea is that the boys don’t fall behind in their studies while they’re taking part in a tournament,” assistant coach and study-group tutor, David Gordo tells FIFA.COM.

“The Spanish FA realise the players are at a stage of their lives where they’re learning constantly, and this shouldn’t just include their football careers, but rather encompass an allround education,” he says.

“All the players are required to attend classes, whether they have them that day or not.”

Diaz, the Villareal forward, is grateful for the class on the move as it helps the players keep up with their schoolwork. Diaz, like Vidal and Pampin, is in the second year of Bachillerato, the optional post-16, pre-university stage.

The boy from Valencia says it is often tough to focus on studies when such an important tournament is on, but it also helps take the mind away from the game for a bit.

“What’s the biggest headache for me? Spanish language and literature. It’s just not something you can pick up straightaway. You have to knuckle down and it takes time,” says Vidal, the goalkeeper.

All the young Spanish players in India are dreaming of making it to the big European clubs.

But some are also aware of the need to have a fall back option. “It’s hard to become a professional footballer. The ones that don’t should have a back-up plan,” said Diaz.