It creates a complicated backdrop to Spain’s World Cup campaign. While Vilda says the situation is now “practically resolved save a few details” following a series of meetings in the past nine months, the fact that seven players still don’t feel they can return paints a different picture. There is also disappointment and surprise at how he has dealt with some of the other players who were willing to come back, such as Panos.
Sources, though, insist there is no friction between any of the players, regardless of any contrasting decisions they have made with the World Cup in mind.
It makes it difficult to predict Spain’s chances at the finals, where they will meet Costa Rica, Zambia and Japan in the group stage. On the one hand, they massively benefit from the return of Putellas and Bonmati, two of the top five players in the world, according to the Ballon d’Or rankings, while they have also performed impressively without them. On the other hand, events of the past nine months leave a dark cloud over the team, no matter how much Vilda protests otherwise.
“Some [of the 15] are here and I am convinced they will work to be part of the group and that they will fight for the biggest thing there is in sport, which is to represent your country,” Vilda said, “but I will not talk about those that are not here. The 30 who are here are sports people. They want to build a strong group; they want the best players alongside them. Sport unites you. I am convinced there will be concordance, calm and harmony.
“Since September, things have happened, but one of the best things is how we have played. We beat the U.S. for the first time, got to sixth in the world rankings and we want to climb higher — which I am convinced we can with these players. It is absurd to think about what is behind us when what is in front of is so, so important. We won’t waste our energy on that.”
