Ayoze: ‘The prize of representing Spain at such a tournament is wonderful’.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO WHAT COACH LUIS DE LA FUENTE HAD TO SAY AHEAD OF THE SPAIN-NORTHERN IRELAND GAME
With the number 26 on his back, the same number that he wore growing up in his hometown, Tenerife's Ayoze Pérez received the news this Friday that he is one of those chosen to represent Spain at the upcoming European Championships and in his first public appearance the striker said: ‘I feel very happy and very excited. I quickly called my friends and family".
🗣️ @AyozePG, jugador de la @SEFutbol: "Siento mucha felicidad y mucha ilusión. Rápidamente llamé a mis amigos y familia".
— Selección Española Masculina de Fútbol (@SEFutbol) June 7, 2024
➡️ "Estoy un poco fastidiado por los compañeros que nos han tenido que dejar, pero seguro que nos van a apoyar desde fuera".#VamosEspaña | #EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/KApKyQcHsN
Despite this, the Real Betis player had words of recognition for Pau Cubarsí, Marcos Llorente and Aleix García, who left the training camp before the team's trip to Mallorca: ‘I'm a bit upset for the players who have had to leave us, but I'm sure they will support us from outside,’ said Ayoze.
🗣️ @AyozePG: "Llegué al equipo con las ideas muy claras: aportar mi granito de arena, enseñar lo que puedo ofrecer y dar lo mejor de mí".
— Selección Española Masculina de Fútbol (@SEFutbol) June 7, 2024
➡️ "Estoy muy agradecido al míster por darme la oportunidad y confiar en mí. Tengo mucha ilusión por esta EURO".#VamosEspaña | #EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/qVw5HkvcB8
The Canary Islander has described his experience at Ciudad del Fútbol over the last few days, noting that ‘I came to the team with very clear ideas: to do my bit, to show what I can offer and to give the best of myself. I'm very grateful to the coach for giving me the opportunity and trusting me. I'm very excited about these Euros".
🗣️ @AyozePG, jugador de la @SEFutbol: "Mi nivel de madurez y mi nivel futbolístico me han traído hasta aquí. Es un trabajo de muchos años".
— Selección Española Masculina de Fútbol (@SEFutbol) June 7, 2024
➡️ "La recompensa de representar a España en un evento tan importante es maravillosa".#VamosEspaña | #EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/uga3uoVtlm
Ten years after being called up by the U-21s and having just started his journey with the senior team, Ayoze is convinced that now ‘my level of maturity and my footballing level have brought me here. It's the fruit of many years of hard work", which now has culminated in this point: “the prize of representing Spain at such an important tournament is wonderful,” he said on the eve of the match against Northern Ireland at Son Moix.