Ahead of Spain's FIFA World Cup final against Argentina, Nico Williams was interviewed by Cadena SER. This is the second part of the interview.

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Nico: We joke around to relax, but we can still feel the tension of the final

Is it harder emotionally and psychologically? Do you keep overthinking things?

Yes, but that's also part of football. Sometimes you're in great form, sometimes you're terrible. It's part of football and part of your growth, both as a player and as a person. These experiences make you mentally stronger, because football is indeed tough.

But you made it in the end. The other day someone told me: "Nico will score the winning goal in the final."

That would be f***ing awesome, truly.

Have you imagined that moment?

Many times, countless times.

What would that goal be like?

Like Iniesta's goal, but I'd score it with my left foot.

Like Oyarzabal or Dani Olmo passing to you.

Anyone can pass. Someone plays the ball to the left, I trap it, and then I smash it in.

That would be incredibly wild, truly astounding.

It would definitely be amazing.

How would you celebrate?

I don't know either. In that moment, maybe I'd even take off my pants. (laughs) I really don't know. In such an excited state, I don't know what I would do.

Iniesta had planned his celebration beforehand; he was wearing a shirt commemorating Jarque underneath. And he wasn't a player who scored often.

That's similar to me, right? I haven't scored many goals in this FIFA World Cup, so maybe I'll put the cherry on top of the cake at the end, to conclude this tournament. (laughs)

So you have thought about the celebration.

I've probably thought about similar scenarios. But no, I really haven't planned any celebration moves in advance, nor have I thought about what to do. I think these things just happen naturally in the moment.

I think so too. The other day someone on a radio show told me he dreamt about that moment.

Really?

Yes. He dreamt that you were the one who scored. He said that in this FIFA World Cup, every player has had their moment. Spain is a team that truly relies on the collective, no one is above anyone else. He felt that you would get a chance to play and score in the 105th minute, just before the end of the first half of extra time.

Who told you that? (laughs)

A child.

Really? Children often say very wise things.

Yeah. (laughs) So now you have to work to make that dream come true.

I hope so.

Speaking of playing against Argentina, you just mentioned it's a very young team. Many veterans from the 2024 European Championship generation have left. Yesterday I spoke with Jesús Navas, who is also here and will watch the final live. He said: "Two years ago I played with them, and it was more like a family than just a team." Morata left, Carvajal left, and now there aren't many true veterans left in the team.

That's true, the so-called veterans are only around 30 years old now. But I think those who left left a very important mark on this team. For example, Morata, he had a good relationship with the young players, especially with me, Lamine Yamal, Fermín, and other youngsters on the team at the time. We were younger and a bit reckless back then. He helped us a lot and gave us a lot of advice, especially since he had experienced a lot in both the national team and clubs. It was good to play with him because I learned a lot from him.

Compared to the current veterans, Morata seems to have a younger spirit, right?

Yes, but everyone is different.

Alfredo, if Nico actually scores that goal, how would you commentate it?

Alfredo: I'd probably go as crazy as he would. We've already experienced that Iniesta goal, which was the ultimate moment football can offer, truly incredible. I can already imagine that scene. Everyone thinks Nico won't start because the coach might stick with the previous lineup. But he'll be on the sidelines, waiting for the coach to tell him: "It's your turn, go on." From that moment, he'll imagine everything that follows and tell himself: "This is my moment."

Williams Jr: Yes. When you come on as a substitute, you know exactly what you need to do, just like against France. If the coach tells me: "You have 10 minutes to change the game," then I'll give it my all.

Don't you feel a greater responsibility? After all, the whole game might hinge on these few minutes. Don't you think: "They've played 70 minutes, and now they want me to solve the problem"?

I think that's normal. Football has different phases. In the European Championship, I was a starter, now I have to accept a relatively minor role, but I will accept it humbly and do my best.

Alfredo: I promise you, if you score, I will give a commentary worthy of that goal.

Williams Jr: Good. (laughs)

Perhaps this is the secret to this team. Everyone knows you came here as one of the star players for the FIFA World Cup, but you're willing to accept a substitute role in the second half. You also recovered from injury and made it to the FIFA World Cup, which is not easy in itself. Perhaps this is the key to the team.

Many people come here with expectations from the outside. Because of my performance in the European Championship, and having consistently played in previous national team training camps, expectations were high for me too. But for various reasons, things have turned out this way. You have to adapt to your role and contribute to the team. I believe the collective is more important than the individual. In a FIFA World Cup that requires eight high-intensity matches, you have to face all kinds of situations and help your teammates around you. Even if he plays the same position as you and is your direct competitor, you still have to help him.

I think this is our characteristic. Whether you play 8 minutes, 2 minutes, 10 minutes, 30 minutes, or 90 minutes, everyone must be ready at all times, that's the most important thing.

Some people might have a bad attitude, and some might think they are more important, but in that case, they are not suitable for this national team. I think Luis found the key, he brought everyone together and made everyone feel important, and we all really feel that way. Now we just hope the final comes soon, because it's a very important game.

No single person is more important than the whole team. On Monday, I'll see you at Cibeles Square in Madrid. I'll play that goal commentary for you then, okay?

Okay.

Nico, would you sign off on this outcome?

I'd sign it in blood. (laughs)

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