2 VCF GOALKEEPERS WILL REPRESENT SPAIN IN U20 WORLD CUP | OneFootball

Vicent Abril and Raúl Jiménez, the VCF Mestalla shot-stoppers, are part of Spain’s squad for the U-20 World Cup taking place in Chile from September 27 to October 19.

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BIG PRIDE

“I’m very happy to be able to play in the World Cup and represent our country. Even more so because I’ll be going with Raúl—we’re going to support each other a lot,” says Vicent Abril. The goalkeeper from Castelló, in La Ribera, is facing his first major tournament with Spain’s youth teams with great excitement. “I had been to training camps and friendlies before, but this is my first call-up for a tournament of this kind.”

For Raúl Jiménez, this will be his fifth major tournament with Spain’s youth teams, after taking part in the U-17 World Cup in Indonesia, the U-17 European Championship, and the last two U-19 European Championships, where he won a gold and a silver medal.

“Having played in several European Championships and a U-17 World Cup, you realize just how hard it is to win a tournament like this,” says Raúl. “It’s a very tough challenge, but also a beautiful one,” adds Vicent. “I have a lot of faith in my teammates to deliver a strong performance.”

This presence at the U-20 World Cup is a dream for Raúl and Vicent. “Every time you put on the national team jersey, it’s special. Any kid our age would love to be where we are. You have to give your all every time you’re with the national team. It’s a World Cup, and not everyone gets the chance to play in something like this. We’ll give everything we’ve got to win the title,” says the player from Catral.

HEALTHY COMPETITION

Vicent and Raúl will experience this World Cup as a great opportunity, where they’ll give their all in goal while supporting each other.

“With Vicent I’m in goal every day, and I have to put up with him (laughs). He’s a good teammate and I respect him a lot. We both have to earn our spot, and each of us fights for our place, but we always respect each other. If the coach decides he plays, I support him in training, and vice versa,” says Raúl, highlighting the advantage of sharing this U-20 World Cup together.

“Living the tournament together is a support because we’ll be away from home for many days, and having each other’s backing helps us feel good there and contribute to the team.”

VCF ACADEMY

Alongside Vicent and Raúl’s presence at the U-20 World Cup in Chile, Alain Gómez will most likely join them with Argentina’s U-20 team, with whom he is currently training in Buenos Aires while awaiting the final squad list.

“Alain, Vicent, and I are all doing a great job with the VCF Academy goalkeepers. Hopefully, we can face each other in the knockout rounds.”