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World Cup's 'Low-Key Goalie' Simón Set Records, Previously Revealed Social Media Exit

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Spain's goalkeeper Unai Simón has set multiple records in the current World Cup, including six clean sheets and conceding only one goal before the final.
  • Simón previously explained his decision to close social media accounts, stating that online comments significantly impacted his performance.
  • His parents, who served in law enforcement, instilled values that shaped his character, though he remains uncomfortable with public attention on his family.

Spain's goalkeeper Unai Simón has been a quiet force behind the team's success in the current World Cup, reaching the final against Argentina. He has achieved remarkable records throughout the tournament, including six clean sheets and conceding just one goal before the final match. Simón also set a new record by going 650 consecutive minutes without conceding a goal.

If you ask my friends, or people from my hometown Murguía, they will tell you that I am actually a very outgoing, easy-to-get-along-with person. It's just that with strangers, I'm a bit more reserved.

— Unai SimónDescribing his personality in a past interview.

Despite his crucial role, the 29-year-old, who plays for Athletic Bilbao, remains one of Spain's most mysterious and low-profile players, notably without any personal social media accounts. In a 2022 interview with La Vanguardia, Simón described himself as outgoing and easygoing among friends and in his hometown of Murguía. However, he admitted to being reserved with strangers and preferring to stay out of the spotlight.

Simón revealed his reasons for abandoning social media, explaining that he initially used platforms like other young people during his early football career. However, he found that constantly checking comments, both positive and negative, had a significant effect on him. He felt overly discouraged by criticism and perhaps too confident after praise, leading him to forcibly disconnect from social media entirely.

The problem was that I kept looking at how everyone commented on me. Whether good or bad, it had a big impact on me.

— Unai SimónExplaining why he quit social media.

His parents, a member of the Civil Guard and a Basque police officer, influenced his upbringing with their values rather than pushing him toward law enforcement careers. Simón expressed pride in his parents' influence on his character. While he is somewhat uncomfortable with the public exposure of his family's professions, both he and his family accept it as part of their lives.

My parents never asked me to follow the same path, they just taught me to follow the values of how to behave.

— Unai SimónReflecting on his parents' influence.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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