Spain manager defends World Cup squad selection amid Real Madrid controversy
Spain manager Luis de la Fuente has defended his controversial World Cup squad selection after leaving out every Real Madrid player for the first time in the nation’s history, reports BritPanorama.
The 26-man squad for this summer’s tournament does not include any players from Real Madrid following a disappointing season that saw them end without a major trophy, finishing eight points behind Barcelona in the La Liga title race.
Notable absentees include defenders Dean Huijsen and Dani Carvajal, as De la Fuente opted instead for a line-up featuring several Barcelona stars and players from the Premier League.
This decision has ignited debate in Spain, with many questioning whether Real’s underwhelming performance influenced the selections. De la Fuente, however, denied that club allegiance affected his choices. “I don’t look at one club or another,” he stated. “I don’t have that local bias a fan might have. For me, it’s more global.”
Included in the squad is Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal, despite concerns over his fitness after a hamstring injury ruled him out for the last month of the season. Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams also secured his spot despite his injury struggles.
De la Fuente attempted to reassure fans regarding the condition of Yamal and other players, saying, “We’re very relaxed. Barring any setbacks, we’ll have everyone available from the very first match.” Spain is set to kick off their World Cup campaign against Cape Verde on June 15, with further Group H matches scheduled against Saudi Arabia and Uruguay.
Arsenal’s Mikel Merino was named in the squad after recovering from a stress fracture in his foot. He joins other Premier League players, including David Raya and Rodri.
There were also first-time call-ups for Eric Garcia of Barcelona and Marc Pubill of Atletico Madrid, following strong performances in La Liga. However, Barcelona’s Fermin Lopez was omitted due to a recent foot injury.
Despite the absence of Real Madrid players, De la Fuente expressed optimism about the team’s prospects, stating, “Excitement is the key word. Passion. The reaction of people all over Spain – adults and children alike – is that they are fully behind the national team.” The narrative of this squad continues to unfold as the World Cup approaches, a reminder of how the fortunes of club football can ripple through national aspirations.
