Fernando Torres – El País 2014 World Cup Q&A

The always delightful Fernando Torres was the next person subjected to the El País Q&A.

I’m sad that Spain’s early elimination means we won’t get around to all of the players before the team goes home.

Who scored the first goal of the World Cup competition?  A Frenchman, Laurent.

Which player has scored the most goals in the history of the World Cup?  Ronaldo.

all set for Italy!

Spain takes on Italy tonight in a friendly at the Vicente Calderón (Madrid) at 22h.  There are several things of note about this game.  It is the last time La Roja is together before the concentración for the World Cup begins on May 26, the game will serve as a tribute to the late and great Luis Aragonés and as the stage for the debut of the new black jerseys, and of course this will be the first time we see Diego Costa in the shirt of Spain.  All eyes have been on him the entire week, although I have to admit mine were focused on Azpi’s dimples instead!

gracias Luis

Unsurprisingly, the tributes are pouring in for Luis Aragónes.  Here, I’ve translated pieces written by Fernando Torres, Iker Casillas and Xavi Hernández, plus interviews with Álvaro Arbeloa and Pepe Reina, as well as a sampling of messages via Twitter from Luis’ players.  There’s also a piece written by Luis himself, where he reflects on the Eurocopa.  DEP Míster (y tal).

Luis Aragónes.  1938-2014.

Juan Mata at Fuera de Serie

El Mundo’s Fuera de Serie magazine had Xabi Alonso on the cover for its inaugural issue, and several weeks later it has followed that stellar appearance with Juan Mata!  The piece is very much along the lines of every other interview of Juanín in recent years (at least the ones you can find here; I think the journalists need to come up with a new angle), but more PF is always welcome, no?

Juan Mata is an atypical footballer: he’s studying two subjects (physical education and marketing) while playing for his club and country; he reads Murakami and Enrique Vila-Matas; he writes during his free time; he’s a gourmand and a cinephile; and he’s decided to learn how to play the guitar this year (he would like to have been a musician if he weren’t a footballer).  He tells us all this during an interview in London, a few days before his transfer to Manchester United was confirmed.

Chelsea’s fans have shown you how much they love you…

Yes, that’s what they show me, both on the street and via social networks.  I feel very fortunate to receive this affection, which really is difficult to describe with words.  From the first day, they’ve shown me their appreciation, and they even chose me as the best player for two years in a row.  They are really fantastic fans.

all set for Brazil!

Spain will be taking on Brazil in the final of the Confecup (Monday, 00h) after beating Italy following an agonizing penalty shootout that luckily had a happy ending.

Hopefully we’ll be able to pull off another Maracanazo and add to our trophy collection the only one that has resisted us so far!

all set for Italy!

Our opponent tonight in the semifinal of the Confecup (21h) is Italy, who is only in the tournament because we won the World Cup, and then beat them in the final of the Euro last year.  Let’s do it again!  At stake is a place in the final, where Brazil is waiting after having avoided a repeat of the “Maracanazo.”

all set for Nigeria!

Spain takes on Nigeria today (21h) in Fortaleza in its third and final game of the first round of the Confecup.  The players who started the first game against Uruguay will most likely return (or stay on in the case of Sergio Ramos), while Víctor Valdés will take over the goal.  To finish atop Group B (and face Italy), Spain needs at least a tie.

ICYMI – Spain vs. Tahiti

Well, I think Tahiti has become my favorite rival out of all those whom Spain has played.  The reason is not because Spain managed to score 10 goals, but rather for what happened before the game and after the game.  Plus, the Tahitians got many of our boys to remove their shirts, so how could we not love them?