Spain manager includes Real Madrid forward in World Cup training plans | OneFootball

Real Madrid may not have any direct representation in Spain’s final World Cup squad, but one young talent from the club has still managed to attract the attention of Luis de la Fuente.

That player is Gonzalo Garcia.

According to SPORT, the young forward has been selected as one of Spain’s support players during the national team’s initial World Cup preparation phase. 

While he will not officially travel with the final squad to the tournament, the decision is still viewed as an important signal regarding how highly he is rated within the Spanish setup.

Spain’s coaching staff want Gonzalo to participate in training sessions during the opening stages of the camp before the team departs for the tournament.

A disappointing time for Real Madrid

Gonzalo Garcia will train alongside other internationals. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

For Real Madrid, the call-up arrives during what has otherwise been a disappointing international selection process.

Several Madrid-linked names, including Dean Huijsen, Fran Garcia, Alvaro Carreras and Raul Asencio, had all appeared among the provisional candidates at different stages.

Yet none of them ultimately made Spain’s final World Cup squad.

The absence of Huijsen has especially generated surprise in Spain given that the defender had previously been viewed as an important figure in De la Fuente’s plans.

Gonzalo Garcia earns recognition

Gonzalo Garcia will not travel with the World Cup squad. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)

Although Gonzalo Garcia will not officially participate in the World Cup itself, his inclusion within the support group remains highly significant.

Alongside Gonzalo, the support squad will include Marc Bernal from Barcelona, Javi Rodriguez (Celta), Jesus Rodriguez (Como), Leo Roman (Mallorca), Benat Turrientes, Jon Martin and Sergio Gomez (Real Sociedad).

The selected group will help complete training sessions during the first stage of Spain’s preparation camp ahead of the national team’s World Cup opener against Iraq on June 4.

Importantly, these support players are not part of Spain’s official preliminary 55-man World Cup list, which means they would not be eligible to join the tournament later even if injuries occur during the competition.