Real Betis midfielder Javi Garcia is hopeful of adding to his two Spain caps and playing a part in next summer’s World Cup.
The 30-year-old joined Los Verdiblancos this summer after three seasons with Zenit Saint Petersburg, and he harbours ambitions of travelling back to Russia next ear.
“Returning to the national team was practically impossible while I was in Russia,” Garcia told an interview with Reuters.
“But now I‘m back in Spain everyone watches Betis matches, so why not? While things are going well for the team you never know what could happen on a personal level.
”The Russians love football. The city is spectacular and Zenit are the best club in Russia. The fans supported me in the good times and the bad, I could always feel their warmth on the streets.
”In Spain people always want to go to the beach on their holidays but I encourage everyone to go to the World Cup and visit Russia, it will change how you think about the country.
“This is a historic moment for Russia. They are getting ready, they have built some spectacular stadiums and it’s going to be an incredible World Cup.”
Formerly of Real Madrid, Osasuna Benfica and Manchester City, the holding midfielder has been in fine form for an improving Betis this campaign.
“Betis have changed many things this year. We have a director of football in Lorenzo Serra Ferrer who was a top coach in his day and knows a lot about football,” Garcia added.
”We have a top coach in Quique Setien who we all know loves his sides to play attractive football. When Quique came here and I saw the type of footballers the club was signing, I really wanted to come here.
“At first I thought I’d take time to re-adapt because the pace of the game in Russia is very different to Spain, but everything has gone well from the start.”
