Pablo Sarabia’s call from the Spanish team came late. In times when the records of precocity follow one after another, the Madrid attacker was not included in the absolute list until he was 27 years old, in full football maturity. He made his debut under Robert Moreno in September 2019 against Romania. He spent 14 minutes on the pitch.
That same summer he had just signed for nothing more and nothing less than PSG, which put his name in the world showcase. His fantastic seasons at Sevilla had not been enough to be worthy of opportunities. The pandemic, first, and the return of Luis Enrique, later, left him without wearing the red for more than a year and a half until, based on work and tenacity, the Asturian coach gave him an opportunity that he did not miss.
The Real Madrid youth squad and also a former Getafe player was one of the most outstanding surprises on Luis Enrique’s list announced for Euro 2021, where he had a certain role. During this year he has gone from less to more until becoming an untouchable in the coach’s schemes. Sarabia restored his confidence in Geneva with the winning goal (0-1) that allows Spain to depend on itself to be in the Final Four of the Nations League.
Sarabia showed his good relationship with the goal by first finishing off a pass from Marcos Llorente inside the area. It is his eighth goal in 21 games with the national team, a not insignificant figure if you take into account that it is not a ‘nine’. In addition, he has scored in the last three concentrations. His presence at the World Cup in Qatar at the end of the year seems assured although his future is still up in the air.
Still owned by PSG, he played on loan last season at Sporting de Portugal scoring at a good level. During his time in Lisbon he left satisfactory numbers: 22 goals and 9 assists in 45 games. With the Parisian attack overcrowded with stars (Messi, Neymar, Mbappé…) it is most likely that he will leave the club. One of the girlfriends that Atlético de Madrid has left in recent weeks. The decision will be made once the concentration of the selection is over.
“I feel very good, in the best moment of my career. Every day I’m better, I’ve gained experience and I’m enjoying football a lot”, acknowledged Sarabia after the Switzerland-Spain match. For the left-hander, who at the Stade de Genève played in his natural side, mental strength is one of the keys to his success.”For me, it represents 70% of a player’s performance, right now I feel very happy and I try to respond to the trust they place in me”.
At a time when the red team has serious difficulties in seeing the door, the goal of the 30-year-old footballer in the initial stretch of the match is an oxygen cylinder for the team. Like Unai Simón and Gavia, he started for the third consecutive time, something difficult to see with Luis Enrique on the bench. One more example that Sarabia is taken into account because he always delivers.
