David Raya, from Cornella to the Spanish Soccer Team

David Raya, the goalkeeper trained at UE Cornellà, a team with which WOSPAC collaborates, called up by Luis Enrique for the Spanish national team.

One name has attracted special attention in Luis Enrique’s last call-up for the double friendly match of the Spanish national team, against Albania and Iceland. And it is none other than goalkeeper David Raya.For many fans, Raya, the Spanish Goalie, is not yet a reference point in goal. So where did David Raya come from? He was born in Barcelona 26 years ago, David Raya Spanish Goalkeeper currently plays for Brentford in the Premier League, a team he signed for in 2019. He arrived England in 2014. And he did it from one of the best youth academies in Spain, that of UE Cornellà with which WOSPAC works side by side. Cornellà is, for its part, the cradle in which spanish players of the stature of Jordi Alba, or the three Betis players Víctor Ruiz, Aitor Ruibal and Edgar González have grown up.

In the progression of David Raya Spanish Goalkeeper as a footballer there is a name that stands out above all, that of Andrés Manzano and Cesar López, general director and sporting goalkeepers director of UE Cornellà. They noticed the player when he was ten years old and playing for Corbera. He then signed him for Cornellà, where he grew as a player until he got the opportunity to play in the Premier League thanks to an agreement with Blackburn Rovers. Manzano himself and the goalkeeping coach, César López, convinced the Englishmen of Raya’s quality despite the fact that he might lack height compared to English goalkeepers. From there began Raya’s English adventure, which has led him to be considered one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League and to unseat a legend of Spanish soccer, Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea.

Andres Manzano is clear about the key to success. In declarations to Diario Sport he says that Raya has reached where he is thanks to “His effort, discipline and work”. It wasn’t pleasant when he was a child to throw himself to the ground on those artificial grass pitches where you could easily get hurt. David Raya Spanish Goalkeeper was always trying to improve himself. At Cornellà, Spanish club, we give him as an example to the kids of what you have to do to try to get to the top”.

He is an example for all the youngsters that want to be professional goalkeeper one day. Congratulations dear David Raya Spanish Goalkeeper, we wish all the best!!