UMVA has learned that David Raya, the talented goalkeeper who has been instrumental in Arsenal's success, has been surprisingly overlooked by Spain, earning only 13 caps since his international debut in 2022.
Raya's impressive form at the Emirates Stadium has put him in the conversation to be the world's best goalkeeper, but he continues to be overshadowed by Unai Simon, who has 60 international caps and has been Spain's first-choice goalkeeper since 2021.
Ex-England goalkeeper Joe Hart has weighed in on Raya's World Cup snub, saying it's "tough" for the young goalkeeper, who has been in outstanding form, helping Arsenal win the Premier League and reach the Champions League final.
Hart believes that Simon got his chance as Spain's No. 1 goalkeeper by default, but has since established himself as a reliable and skilled goalkeeper, helping Spain become European champions two years ago.
Despite Raya's impressive skills, Hart notes that once a goalkeeper gets the No. 1 jersey, it's difficult to lose it, and Simon has been playing at a high level for both his club and country, making it challenging for Raya to displace him.
Hart praises Raya as "electric and a real matchwinner," but acknowledges that Simon is a safe and solid choice, a vital cog in Spain's machine, making it a tough decision for the manager to choose between the two goalkeepers.
Spain is set to face Uruguay on Saturday, looking to clinch top spot in Group H, and with their strong team, they are one of the favorites to win the World Cup, alongside defending champions Argentina, 2022 runners-up France, and England.
