Oyarzabal Says Spain Are Favorites, But Must Prove It

Mikel Oyarzabal said Spain arrive at the World Cup as one of the favorites, but stressed that labels mean little until they are proved on the pitch. The Real Sociedad captain said he feels valued, loved and respected within the national team, and insisted his focus is on helping the squad rather than comparing himself with stars such as Harry Kane or Kylian Mbappé.

Speaking in Chattanooga, as reported by Diario Vasco, Oyarzabal played down individual debates and emphasized the collective effort. He said he wants to contribute everything he can to a team that, in his view, is performing well. His comments came after he scored against Peru, extending his scoring streak with Spain to six consecutive matches and matching David Villa. Fernando Hierro and Pirri had previously recorded similar runs, while Oyarzabal has been involved in 11 straight Spain goals.

He also dismissed the idea that he is undervalued outside the national setup, saying selection is down to the coach and that what matters most is the respect of his teammates. In a lighter moment, he avoided making any promise about getting a tattoo, after some teammates joked about commemorating a possible title win.

Spain continue their preparations for their opening match against Cape Verde on Monday at 18:00. Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal trained normally with the group, while Víctor Muñoz worked with the full squad for the first time. Oyarzabal trained with a bandage on his right knee after the knock he picked up against Peru, but said he expects Spain to start the tournament with a win and aim for a second star.