Brentford keeper Raya on European football and World Cup dreams

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Brentford goalkeeper David Raya says representing Spain at the World Cup later this year would be a “dream” – and hopes he can one day play European football with Brentford.

The 26-year-old was called up to his national team squad for the first time in March and made his debut in the 2-1 win over Albania.

Raya revealed that the news of a call-up came as a “total surprise” – having not held conversations with Spain boss Luis Enrique or any of his coaching staff prior to the announcement.


Now he is targeting further international call-ups, starting with the Nations League in June and then the World Cup in Qatar in November this year.

“I was over the moon to make my debut at home. It was in Cornella, where I used to play, and I grew up there, so all my family was there. I probably had between 60 and 70 people coming to watch the game,” he said.

“Obviously every footballer has their own targets and their own dreams. For example, when I came to England I said ‘I don’t want to move from England until I play in the Premier League’, so I got that this year.

“My next step was I wanted to be called up for Spain and obviously it happened. Obviously the next step is to play for Brentford and end up as high as possible this year.

“Then in the summer, hopefully I will be selected again for the national team and play in the Nations League, and obviously start well in the next Premier League season.

“Obviously playing in the World Cup is a dream that every footballer has. To represent your country in a World Cup, that’s the biggest stage for football.

“Playing in the Champions League is another dream that every footballer has and hopefully I can achieve that and we can achieve that with Brentford one day.”