Madrid June 7 (IANS) Spain s king on Thursday bid his country s national football team farewell before their trip to the Russian city of Krasnodar La Roja s homebase for World Cup play which kicks off on June 14.
King Felipe VI visited the Spanish squad at the City of Soccer sport complex in Las Rozas outside Madrid accompanied by the new Culture and Sports Minister Maxim Huerta among other officials reports Efe.
"I did not want to miss the opportunity to come and embrace you salute you and cheer you on before you are to embark and leave for Russia " the king said addressing the team.
"I know that what matters is not what I say but that you do what you know best (and) you do it with enthusiasm. The whole time until July 15 you will carry the country on your shoulders " he added.
Spain the 2010 world champion is to play in Group B against Portugal Morocco and Iran.

--IANS kk/vm