Spain hand first call-ups to Víctor Muñoz, Cristhian Mosquera and Ander Barrenetxea | OneFootball

Spain have handed first senior call-ups to Víctor Muñoz, Cristhian Mosquera and Ander Barrenetxea for friendlies against Serbia and Egypt. Joan García also steps up, a move that surprised many. According to AS, injuries created room for in-form newcomers.

Muñoz learned of selection during training and was described by his camp as in shock. Team-mates tossed the Osasuna winger. He had never previously been called at any youth level.

He spoke of pride and a childhood dream, then stressed focus on Girona next Saturday and praised Osasuna's dressing room. He has hit 35.4 km/h, delivering six goals and five assists this season.

Mosquera, 21 and from Alicante, is an Arsenal centre-back with 25 appearances this season. Eligible for Colombia through his parents, his camp say he always intended to represent Spain. He learned the news at Arsenal’s training base.

He developed at Hércules and Valencia, broke into the first team, then left last summer after failing to agree a renewal, joining Arsenal for 15 million. The call offers a route towards next summer’s World Cup.

Barrenetxea, 24, is rewarded for a season of growth at Real Sociedad. He debuted against Alavés on 21 December 2018, aged 16 years and 359 days, becoming LaLiga’s first player born in the 21st century. This season he has three goals and three assists.

Source: AS