Forward Yeremy Pino affirmed on Sunday that it is a privilege to be among the 26 best players selected for Spain, a squad he believes should take pride in being considered one of the favourites for the World Cup.

"For me, it is a privilege to be here among the 26 best in Spain. It is a source of pride to share every day with these players and learn from all of them," Pino told a press conference in the Mexican city of Puebla.

Addressing the tag of Spain being one of the favourites to lift the trophy, the Crystal Palace player welcomed the expectation. "We carry that label with great pride; it is a status we have earned through our hard work over recent years. It should not put pressure on us, but rather give us confidence," he noted.

He was also asked about the importance of Gavi within the squad: "Gavi is grit, camaraderie, and joy. He is a player whose energy is infectious and he contributes so much to the group. On the pitch, he always gives everything; he puts his body on the line in every challenge, and that is something we value immensely. He is a vital footballer for us. Gavi is the soul of the team."

Spain landed in Puebla, central Mexico, on Sunday ahead of a friendly against Peru on Monday—their final warm-up before the tournament begins.

Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams, and Victor Munoz remained in the United States and were absent from the group's final training session on Sunday morning. The squad, managed by Luis De la Fuente, has the remainder of its players available for Monday's fixture, their last outing before the World Cup debut against Cape Verde on 15th June in Atlanta.

The Spanish national team will return to Mexico for their third group stage match against Uruguay, which is scheduled for 26th June in Guadalajara.

Yéremy Pino

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