Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith recently visited Madrid, Spain, where he made two things clear: he is fully committed to the Eagles, and he supports the NFL’s effort to expand internationally. While in Madrid, Smith gave an exclusive interview to MARCA, attended a Real Madrid soccer match, and met with young athletes during a flag football event.
Smith was selected 10th overall by the Eagles in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Since then, he has helped lead the team to the playoffs in every season. Over three years, he has totaled 4,011 receiving yards and 27 touchdowns. Despite missing four games in the 2024 season, he still finished with 833 yards and a career-high eight touchdowns. These numbers show how reliable and productive he has been.
One of his biggest moments came in Super Bowl LIX. In that game, he made a 43-yard catch that set up the Eagles’ game-winning touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs. His performance helped the team secure the championship and showed his ability to make key plays under pressure.
Smith is often overshadowed by teammate A.J. Brown, but his consistency and clutch performances have made him one of the most important players on the roster. He has a strong connection with quarterback Jalen Hurts, and the two continue to be a major part of the team’s offense. Their chemistry is one reason the Eagles remain contenders each year.
While in Madrid, Smith told MARCA that he would not play for any other team besides the Eagles. He said he feels connected to Philadelphia and its fans. His loyalty stands out in a league where players often move between teams. His comments also match his actions—he has remained focused on team success rather than personal attention.
During the trip, Smith visited Santiago Bernabéu Stadium and watched Real Madrid play. He saw his favorite soccer player, Kylian Mbappé, live for the first time. Although he admitted he is still learning soccer’s rules, he said he enjoyed the match and noticed how passionate Spanish fans are about their teams. He compared that dedication to the commitment shown by Eagles fans back home.
Smith was also in Spain to promote flag football. He joined boys and girls from the Community of Madrid to play and teach the sport. Flag football is set to become an Olympic sport in the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles. Smith said he believes this is a great opportunity to get more people involved with football, especially young athletes.
His visit came at an important time. The NFL announced that it will host its first regular-season game in Spain on November 16, 2025. The game will take place at Santiago Bernabéu and feature the Miami Dolphins and Washington Commanders. Smith said Spain is ready to host and that international games help players see how many fans they have around the world.
Smith also played in an international game last season. The Eagles opened the 2024 season in São Paulo, Brazil, against the Green Bay Packers. The game drew a large crowd and showed a strong interest in American football outside the United States. Smith said he was impressed by the support and energy from the Brazilian fans.
Looking ahead, the Eagles will open their 2025 season on September 4 against the Dallas Cowboys. With the addition of running back Saquon Barkley, their offense will be even stronger. The team will continue to rely on Smith, Brown, and Hurts as core playmakers.
Analysts like Bucky Brooks have praised the Eagles’ receivers but still rank other teams, like the Bengals, higher. Smith doesn’t respond to rankings. Instead, he focuses on preparation and performance. His quiet approach and strong results speak for themselves.
