“What a bigger illusion for the people of Betis, that it is not Pablo or Isco, but we can be both.”

Four years ago, the last time he was called up by Spain, Fornals coincided with being a father, and about these details the man from Castellón commented: “As a footballer, the circumstances we spent having our children, I had to be born in a break like this four years ago. He is angry because he does not understand that his father has to leave again for ten days.” Speaking about the messages he received in recent days after learning of his call, he also expressed his appreciation, “I received more than when it was my birthday. It is admired by many of my colleagues, that although football is a team sport it is also an individual sport, with many congratulating me for being here and wishing me the best.”

Regarding his return to the national team, Fornals said, “A lot of things have changed. The last time I came it was another coach. Most of my teammates today are not playing for the first time, but I am happy, grateful and very happy with myself to be here again. The goal against Belgium with the U-21 team? It is always a beautiful goal for me. But being able to enjoy the final stage of any competition with the national team is important for every player. I remember that I started without playing and this goal was my future in that tournament.” Since then I started playing as a regular player.

Fornals was also asked about the differences between the three coaches who worked with him – Del Bosque, Luis Enrique and Luis de la Fuente – and he replied: “With Vicente it was unexpected, I had to come and help my teammates while the others had to play the finals, before the European Cup. Imagine when I was 19 years old coming and training with Cesc or Pedro. With Luis Enrique I came during my time at Villarreal and then I was called up three times while at West Ham.” “What can I tell you if I have the opportunity to come into the national team in teams that are not competing for the league, and if they see me in a team from west London, it is appreciated that they notice me. I would say no and I think those of you who have seen it more than me, you know that is not Lewis’ style. “He works extremely hard, and has great passion in everything he does. “Out of the 29 matches without losing and the final stages we played.”

Since it could not be otherwise, Fornals was questioned by Lamine Yamal and fired due to his pubic problems. “I met him for half the time,” said the Betis midfielder. “It’s obviously an important loss because of the great player he is and what he represents for the national team. Football, like life, waits for no one and we can’t lose focus on the two games we have to play and that’s what we’re focusing on. How did we see that? Honestly and without thinking I’m rubbish, I saw him shaking his hand and saying goodbye, because we had to train. He wants to be here and no one wants to be here.” “He likes to be left out at breakfast, we welcomed him because he is our partner and that’s it, he left. Speaking of assumptions, I have no idea what it’s like to be in pain, thank God, I understand that none of us like to be here because of an injury.

Finally, in terms of how he sees himself facing this World Cup side, who are close to qualifying, Fornals admitted: “What can I tell you, once you are a footballer you dream of being here at some point, the speed of the ball is brutal, in three days I can already tell you that I have learned a lot of things from them. It is a group that has been together for some time. A lot of us know each other from our time in the U21 team, I see them with the same humility and ambition that in my case I left them four years ago or even some of them,” Fornals admitted. More than years ago.