Unai Simón #23

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One of Luis de la Fuente’s biggest achievements has been the consistency in goal – despite not being so sure about Simón at youth level. Antonio Sivera got the nod in the first game of the 2019 Under-21 Euros, which Spain lost to Italy. Simón started the next few games as De la Fuente’s side went on to win the trophy. There have been few doubts at senior level. Simón saved two penalties in the shootout victory over Croatia in the 2023 Nations League final. “I’m especially pleased for Unai, who has been mistreated for a long time. I hope people recognise how valuable he is,” De la Fuente said at the time. Simón was between the posts the following summer when Spain won Euro 2024, playing through the pain after rupturing a ligament in his wrist. For the moment he’s still the No 1 despite the rise of David Raya and Joan García.

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