David De Gea: Thank You for the Criticism, it Motivates Me

Spanish goalkeeper David de Gea became the target of criticism after Spain lost 2-1 to Croatia.

Goalkeeper David de Gea has been the target of criticism since Wednesday when his team lost 2-1 to Croatia. (Photo: AP)

Criticism of Spanish goalkeeper David de Gea’s performance after Spain’s 2-1 defeat by Croatia is apparently fuelling the footballers’ determination to do better in his team’s Euro 2016 showdown with Italy.

The Manchester United keeper kept a clean sheet in Spain’s opening two victories, a 1-0 triumph over the Czech Republic and a 3-0 defeat of Turkey but, after conceding two goals against Croatia, he received a rating of four out of 10 from leading Spanish sports newspaper Marca.

De Gea has lost his aura. He could have done better in the two goals.

Marca, Spanish Sports Newspaper

The footballer took to Twitter to address the criticism. De Gea tweeted:

Only those that lose enthusiasm are defeated. Thank you for the criticism, it motivates me. Now to continue battling.

De Gea was not named first choice for the tournament in France until the day of Spain’s opener against the Czechs. (Photo: AP)

The 25-year-old made his senior international debut in June 2014 and was included in Spain’s World Cup squad that year but did not make any appearances. He featured in only three Euro 2016 qualifiers and was not named first choice for the tournament in France until the day of Spain’s opener against the Czechs.

Iker Casillas, the national team captain, had been Spain’s first-choice goalkeeper since 2002.

Spain take on Italy, the team they beat 4-0 four years ago in the final, in the last 16 in Paris on Monday with De Gea expected to start.

(With inputs from Reuters.)