Madrid's Carvajal urges Spain to target World Cup glory after Euros triumph

Real Madrid defender Dani Carvajal, who was honoured on Saturday alongside Joselu Mato at the town hall in Boadilla del Monte after helping Spain win the UEFA Euro 2024 title in Germany, expressed a wish after their success in Berlin: "Now, let's go for the World Cup".

The right-back and the striker, who has left Carlo Ancelotti's side to join Qatar's Al-Gharafa, were received by the Mayor of Boadilla, Francisco Javier Ubeda, and had the opportunity to chat and receive congratulations from another illustrious local resident, the Spanish-Georgian fighter Ilia Topuria.

After signing in the book of honour, both went out to greet each other from the balcony of the Town Hall and to receive the affectionate applause, chants and encouragement of a large group of fans to celebrate the team's fourth continental title.

"We have felt your warmth throughout the European Championship, I hope that this last month we have given you this great joy, that you have enjoyed it with us. We have already seen that the final was a spectacular experience. Thank you very much to everyone for your support and now let's get ready for the World Cup," said Carvajal from the balcony, for whom at certain moments the fans clamoured for the Ballon d'Or.

Joselu also thanked the people of Boadilla del Monte for their support. "You have been essential in this European Championship, like many other municipalities. We are proud to be here, happy for what we have achieved and let's hope that from now on it will be a turning point for this national team, for this group that we have made so incredible and that it will be full of success in the future", said the Galician striker.

Joselu admitted that the most complicated footballing moment of the European Championship for Spain was the moment when Germany equalised in the quarter-final. "But I think the comeback in that game is when we really saw ourselves as champions, I think the squad believed at all times," he explained.

"It's true that Germany were the only team that put us in a bit of trouble, but after that victory the team were much more confident and knew that we could be champions," said the former Real Madrid striker.

Topuria, who also went out onto the balcony to greet the fans, who gave him a standing ovation, thanked "these two stars for representing us so well and for taking the Spanish flag to the top".