MARCOS TEBAR RAMIRO
Spain are coming to the FIFA U-17 World Cup with lot of enthusiasm and hope. Spanish footballers are very popular in India and superstars like Iniesta, Isco, David Silva, Gerard Pique and Fernando Torres are household names. During this World Cup, you will get to see the future of Spanish football.
The FIFA U-17 World Cup is a platform to showcase your talent. It’s also a stage for the unknown superstar in the making. Legends like Figo, Xavi, Del Piero, Cassilas have played in Under-17 World Cups. So there is no shortage of brand ambassadors.
Like many professional footballers in Spain, I have gone through this gruelling process. Having played the 2003 FIFA U-17 World Cup final versus Brazil in Finland in 2003, I understand the value of good work ethics.
AFTER CROATIA HIGH
Spain are in India after having won the European under-17 title in Croatia in May. Winning an European title needs lot of hard work.
Spain have qualified for the FIFA U-17 World Cup after eight years. So, the team is surely raring to go. The young guns should take a lot of encouragement from its European victory. The current squad has a few new names but the core remains the same, so I believe Spain stand a good chance to move up as the tournament progresses to make history.
Captain and forward Abel Ruiz has been in great form. So, the team doesn’t have to go too far to get inspiration. Spain are in a tough group with Brazil, Niger and North Korea. So the matches should be exciting.
The current squad features 10 players from Barcelona and Real Madrid’s youth academies La Masia and La Fabrica, respectively. They are known for their quick and beautiful passing game, so that’s what they need to continue doing.
CONDITIONS NOT A PROBLEM
The conditions in India are good to play football. Even the food, if you can develop a taste, shouldn’t be a problem. The team is going to play all their group games in Kochi, and I can say that they will enjoy the crowd there because fans in Kerala love the sport of football.
It’s great to see India hosting a FIFA World Cup. The home squad has already made history for being the first to represent India at a FIFA event. Whatever the Indian players achieve will be something special and serve as inspiration for the next generation