Spain have included injured teenage star Lamine Yamal in their 26-man FIFA World Cup squad, with no Real Madrid players selected for the tournament for the first time in history.
The 18-year-old Barcelona forward has been sidelined since suffering a torn left hamstring against Barcelona on 22 April, missing the final month of the season. Despite the injury setback, Spain coach Luis de la Fuente remains confident Yamal will be fit for the World Cup.
“We’re very relaxed. Barring any setbacks, we’ll have everyone available from the very first match,” De la Fuente said.
Real Madrid defenders Dean Huijsen and Dani Carvajal were omitted from the squad following a disappointing season for Los Blancos, who finished eight points behind La Liga champions Barcelona and ended the campaign without silverware.
“I don’t look at one club or another. I don’t have that local bias a fan might have. For me, it’s more global,” De la Fuente explained.
“The only thing I want is for these footballers to feel proud of representing the national team.”
Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams has also been included despite ongoing hamstring concerns, while Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino returns after recovering from a stress fracture that kept him out for four months.
Spain’s squad features seven Premier League-based players, including Arsenal duo David Raya and Martin Zubimendi, Tottenham defender Pedro Porro, Chelsea left-back Marc Cucurella, Manchester City midfielder Rodri and Crystal Palace winger Yeremy Pino.
Uncapped defenders Eric Garcia and Marc Pubill earned call-ups after strong seasons with Barcelona and Atletico Madrid respectively.
Barcelona midfielder Fermin Lopez will miss the tournament after being ruled out last week with a broken foot.
Spain begin their World Cup campaign in Group H against tournament debutants Cape Verde on 15 June, before facing Saudi Arabia on 21 June and Uruguay on 26 June.
Luis de la Fuente believes excitement around the national team is growing rapidly ahead of the tournament.
“Excitement is the key word. Passion,” he said.
“The reaction of people all over Spain — adults and children alike — is that they are fully behind the national team.”
Goalkeepers: Unai Simon (Athletic Bilbao), David Raya (Arsenal), Joan Garcia (Barcelona)
Defenders: Marcos Llorente (Atletico Madrid), Marc Pubill (Atletico Madrid), Pedro Porro (Tottenham), Aymeric Laporte (Athletic Bilbao), Eric Garcia (Barcelona), Pau Cubarsi (Barcelona), Marc Cucurella (Chelsea), Alejandro Grimaldo (Bayer Leverkusen)
Midfielders: Rodri (Manchester City), Martin Zubimendi (Arsenal), Mikel Merino (Arsenal), Pedri (Barcelona), Gavi (Barcelona), Fabian Ruiz (Paris Saint-Germain), Alex Baena (Atletico Madrid)
Forwards: Yeremy Pino (Crystal Palace), Victor Munoz (Osasuna), Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad), Ferran Torres (Barcelona), Lamine Yamal (Barcelona), Dani Olmo (Barcelona), Nico Williams (Athletic Bilbao), Borja Iglesias (Celta Vigo)
