CORNERFLICK
Unai Simón has described Spain’s World Cup triumph as “madness” after helping La Roja win the title for the first time in 16 years.
The 29-year-old goalkeeper collected the Golden Glove after Spain conceded only once in eight matches and kept seven clean sheets across the tournament. He said the scale of the achievement has not fully sunk in, adding that the squad will only understand it properly once they return home.
Simón was quick to share the credit with the rest of the team and praised the coaching staff for keeping the group united over a 50-day camp. He said the manager handled the emotions of players who played regularly and those who had fewer minutes.
Speaking to Mundo Deportivo, Simón said Spain stayed true to their identity even in a tense final against Argentina, where the opposition tried to play direct towards Lionel Messi. He admitted Spain were cautious in the first half but took control after the 70th minute.
Rodri won the tournament’s Golden Ball, while Pau Cubarsí was named best young player as Spain returned home to celebrate a title built on defensive organisation and discipline.