Callejon: 'Didn't believe Spain call!'

By Football Italia staff

Jose Callejon reveals it was Napoli teammate Pepe Reina who told him of the Spain recall. “I didn’t believe him!”

The winger has been called up for international duty, including the 2018 World Cup qualifier against Italy on October 6, almost two years since his last cap.

“I had hoped to be called for the national team. It’s true this time I didn’t expect it, though, because there are such good players,” Callejon told El Partidazo De Cop, El Larguero and Onda Cero.

“I am not a typical hitman, but I try to continue like this. Being called up is recompense for all the hard work in recent years and I want to carry on.

“I was sitting on the couch at home when Reina phoned up and told me I was going to be in the Spain squad, but I didn’t believe him! When I did get proof, I rang back to thank him.

“Pepe is doing very well at Napoli. It always seemed obvious to me he’d be back in the Spain squad too and I am happy. He always told me not to lose hope, that sooner or later I’d get an opportunity as well.

“Reina is very important within the locker room and for me, as we are great friends. He’s a lot of fun.”

Callejon has certainly settled in well with the Partenopei and is enjoying himself both on and off the field.

“My life in Naples is very similar to being in Spain, so my family is very happy. My son is two and a half years old, watches all the games and often comes to the Stadio San Paolo.

“We have so many wonderful friends and there’s a great unity within the squad and club. Maurizio Sarri might seem tough, but when you see him every day, he’s very different. He makes us laugh so much and is always smoking!”

Have Napoli lost something with Gonzalo Higuain’s €90m move to Juventus?

“He is a great player, obviously, as he scored 36 goals last season. But now we have Manolo Gabbiadini and Arek Milik, who was a great signing and started well. We can do great things with them.”

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