Robin Le Normand is living his first hours as a Spanish international. At 26 years of age, he is wearing red with the enthusiasm of a child, happy to be part of this list of 23 players to fight for the UEFA Nations League. Spain plays the semifinals against Italy on June 15 (in Enschede, at 8:45 p.m.) and Le Normand is excited thinking about a possible debut, chosen by Luis de la Fuente after a remarkable projection in Real Sociedad de Fútbol.
"When you're a kid, it's a possibility. When I arrived at Real it was a possibility, but you don't think about it. You look at your career, I've been in Spain for eight years, and when the manager calls me, the decision is made very quickly. The Federation has helped me to stay calm, everything has been very fast," says Le Normand.
Born in Pabu, France, Le Normand recently obtained the nationality to compete with the Spanish flag and is committed as ever to this national team. "It's a very important step, this is very nice and I'm really looking forward to it. I want to thank Real Sociedad, without them, without staff and directors, without the people of the day to day ... Also my family, my representative, all those who live with me that day to day and help me."
The central defender, whose career with Real Sociedad has been very good, knows the recipe to perform at the same level with the national team. "Real has trained me to be competitive, I have adapted very well and I will continue in that line. I have to be strong at the back with good ball control, and integrate well with the group so that the team is very collective and we can all enjoy playing together.
He is new, but Le Normand knows his new teammates well. "I'm going with people I know. There is a high level and very good people. I'm looking forward to seeing them. I know them from the pitch, but as rivals. Now they will be teammates. I hope we play well. We have to enjoy ourselves and go to win.
He has been waiting for this moment all his life and speaks with excitement about his debut with Spain, which could come in this UEFA Nations League against top-level opponents. "It will be very special. They are international teams, it's been your goal since you were a child. I'm looking forward to it and it's like a dream come true. There is a lot of work, it's like a dream that becomes a reality".