Pepe Reina: "Spain ready to host the 2030 World Cup, on Napoli…" | OneFootball

The former Napoli goalkeeper, World Champion in 2010, shares his career journey, transition to a coaching role, and the prospect of the World Cup in Spain, Portugal, and Morocco.

Pepe Reina: “Spain is ready to host the 2030 World Cup. About Napoli…”

After ending his playing career with Como, Pepe Reina returned to Spain, where he now coaches the Under 19 team of Villarreal, a club he played for between 2003 and 2005, and more recently from 2022 to 2024.

Reina, who wore the jerseys of Napoli, Lazio, and Milan in Italy, recalls his journey with emotion: “It was a privilege to be part of that group that dreamed of such an important record and that will always be remembered in the history of Spanish football. It’s a dream come true. The dream of every child who plays football and is fortunate enough to reach the top with a group of friends.”

Memories of record-breaking Spain

Reina was part of the historic Spanish national team that won two European Championships and the 2010 World Cup in South Africa between 2008 and 2012. In an interview with the Spanish Embassy's website, the goalkeeper highlights the importance of those moments:

“I hold countless moments in my memory, both on and off the field. Some are vividly etched, and others may seem insignificant, but all are extremely special for the value they had in the journey towards what we were about to achieve.”

World Cup 2030: enthusiasm and organization

Looking to the future, Reina is optimistic about the 2030 World Cup, which will be hosted by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco:

“Spain is an extraordinary country, perfectly prepared to host an event of this magnitude. It has already demonstrated this in the past and has never stopped confirming its organizational excellence and social capacity to host major sporting and entertainment events. People are eagerly anticipating this moment, as football plays a central role in the daily lives of people here.”

The Italian experience: Napoli, Lazio, and Milan

Reina also wanted to recall his experience in Italy, highlighting his affection for Napoli:

“It was a city that deeply captivated both me and my family. The people are very similar to those in the south of Spain, and that daily life, which at first may seem a bit chaotic, ends up completely enchanting you. As a popular Neapolitan saying goes: ‘In Naples, you cry twice, once when you arrive and once when you leave.’”

Was the well-known championship lost in the hotel one of the biggest disappointments of your career?

“We totaled 91 points but didn’t win the championship, something that had never happened before in Serie A history. However, thanks to the competitive and human group we formed, I could never define that year as a disappointment, quite the opposite.”

The experience at Lazio and Milan also left a significant mark: “Milan is one of the most important historic clubs in Europe. The circumstances didn’t allow me to experience it the way I expected, but I have very positive memories of the people I was fortunate to meet.”

Regarding Lazio and the pandemic period, Reina recalls: “My family and I adapted easily to life in Rome thanks to our knowledge of the country, language, cuisine, and all those daily aspects that make the experience simpler and more enjoyable. I was fascinated by the architectural and cultural aspects of the city.”

New role at Villarreal: inspiration and training

After retiring, Reina embarked on a coaching career and now leads Villarreal's Under 19 team. The former goalkeeper explains the influence of Maurizio Sarri on his philosophy:

“I consider myself privileged to have had the opportunity to work with some of the best coaches in football history. However, I deeply identify with Sarri’s philosophy and would like to approach his style of play and his way of managing the locker room.”

Regarding his last experience at Como, where he reunited with Cesc Fàbregas as technical director, Reina adds:

“It’s a special, picturesque, and charming city. Having the stadium near the legendary lake gives it a unique atmosphere. Fàbregas, my former teammate, is now a source of inspiration for what represents my new project and my new professional career.”

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.