Paris Major: Did Goñi secure his place at the World Championships at Roland-Garros? Padel Magazine

Just days before the announcement of the Spanish squad for the World Championships 2026 The battle for the final places intensifies. The coach Juanjo Gutiérrez confirmed it: Six players are already confirmed to be making the trip , While Four candidates remain in competition for the last two tickets .

The final list will be revealed on September 24 And the performances of the last few weeks could have a significant impact. In this context, Aimar Goñi , author of a remarkable new career at Paris Major seems to have put forward some serious arguments at the best possible time.

Paris Major, perfect timing for Goñi

Si Aimar Goñi was already in discussions before the Paris Major, and his performance at Roland Garros has undoubtedly given even more weight to his candidacy. Associated with Eduardo Alonso , the Navarrese reached the quarter-finals of a Major confirming a 2026 season where he continues to get closer to the best pairs in the world.

The real breakthrough came in the round of 16. Alonso / Goñi (TS12) have knocked down Mike Yanguas / Coki Nieto (TS5) in two rounds, 6 / 4 6 / 3 , while the Spanish pair remained on a final at Madrid P1 A landmark victory that allowed them to be the the only pair outside the top 8 seeded to join the quarters.

Facing Galan / Chingotto The task proved too great in the end, but Goñi and Alonso put up a good fight during a very close first set before finally succumbing. 7 / 6 6 / 2 With less than two weeks until the squad announcement, it would be difficult for Goñi to choose a better time to sign. one of his most remarkable performances of the season .

Paris Major – Alonso/Goñi defeat Yanguas/Nieto: “A small mental battle won”

Coello's choice, a significant endorsement.

The candidacy of Goñi Moreover, his success is not solely based on his performances. Even before his quarter-final appearance at Roland-Garros, the young Navarrese had received particularly symbolic support: that of Arturo Coello .

Asked to name the eight players he would take with Spain to the World Cup, the world number one had cited Galán, Lebrón, Navarro, Yanguas, Sanz, Nieto and himself , before awarding its final place to Aimar Goñi .

A subjective choice, of course, but far from insignificant when it comes from one of the team's key players. Especially since Spain has no shortage of alternatives: Javi Leal, Momo González or even Javi Garrido are among the many players capable of being called up.

Only at 20 years old and now ranked 36th in the world Goñi is still the least experienced of several of his competitors. But his progress, his profile of powerful left-footed player And above all, his current form could count for more than just his ranking. Juanjo Gutiérrez's recent comments support this idea: to build his team, the coach acknowledges that he won't necessarily select only the highest-ranked players.

Just days before the verdict, So Coello may have been right before everyone else. .

2026 World Cup: Arturo Coello reveals the 8 players he would select for Spain, Goñi rather than Garrido, Leal or Momo

A profile that could appeal to Juanjo Gutiérrez

Beyond the results, it is perhaps the Aimar Goñi's own profile which could tip the balance. Juanjo Gutiérrez has warned that he will not build his team solely based on the league standings.

The coach wants to take into account the performance peaks , game diagrams but also how each player can combine with the rest of the team He also emphasizes the specific conditions of a competition between nations.

These criteria seem to fit the Navarrese rather well. At only 20 years Goñi is a left-sided player 1,90 m , with a decidedly offensive profile, capable of making the difference through its power and finishing quality. Its association with Eduardo Alonso has also shown his ability to play alongside a player capable of building the point and giving him more responsibility in the finish.

Without ever directly mentioning Goñi among his four candidates, Gutiérrez's words can therefore be interpreted as an openness to this type of player. Especially since the coach made it clear: the decision will hinge on... " details " And at a time when every performance counts, the one achieved by Goñi at Roland-Garros could very well be one of them.

Leal and Garrido, two competitors with different arguments

However, competition remains strong for Aimar Goñi , especially in the face of Javi Leal and Javi Garrido , two other left-wing players with very different profiles.

At 23 years old, Leal certainly has the most threatening record: finalist of Pretoria P1, semi-finalist in Valladolid and him too quarter-finalist of the Paris Major With Fran Guerrero, he displays a consistency at the highest level that Goñi still needs to confirm.

Garrido, on the other hand, can rely on a far superior experience he who has already reached the world top 10 , but its recent momentum is less favorable, particularly with a elimination in the first round at Roland-Garros .

In contrast to these two candidacies, Goñi brings something else to the table: youth, power, and above all, an upward trajectory , symbolized by his victory over Yanguas/Nieto in Paris. Nothing yet reveals the four names Juanjo Gutiérrez is actually hesitating between, but if Goñi, Leal, and Garrido are part of the equation, the choice would perfectly encapsulate the Spanish conundrum: reward consistency, prioritize experience, or bet on the player who explodes onto the scene at the best moment. .

Verdict on September 24th

One thing is certain : Goñi chose the right moment to accelerate The Paris Major tournament was one of the last major opportunities to impress before the selection announcement, and the Navarrese player leaves with a quarterfinal and above all, a landmark victory against Yanguas / Nieto , two players who appear precisely among the six practically indispensable men of La Roja.

The ball is now in the court of Juanjo Gutiérrez The coach will have to decide between his Four candidates for only two places Looking beyond the simple ranking: performance peaks, playing profiles, complementarity and the ability to respond to the specific conditions of a World Cup will be part of the equation.

The answer will come on September 24 Goñi doesn't yet know if he will be making the trip to Doha, but one thing seems certain: At 20 years old, he transformed his status as a revelation into a genuine candidate for the Spanish national team in just a few months. .

Raphael Degironde

As a padel fan and player, I scan the padel scene: Beware, you are being watched!