Luis de la Fuente calls up Atletico Madrid quartet for Spain as Lamine Yamal remains in squad | OneFootball

Spain have announced their latest squad for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers, with Luis de la Fuente recalling Marcos Llorente to the squad, and club teammate Pablo Barrios. The Atletico Madrid duo have been in fine form helping Los Rojiblancos get their season back on track.

The squad sees four Atletico players in the side, a show of their strong form, with Alex Baena returning after an injury issue and Ruben Le Normand also back alongside Barrios and Llorente.

Lamine Yamal in the squad, Nico Williams still injured

There had been some suggestion that Barcelona star Lamine Yamal would be rested for the home games against Georgia at the Martinez Valero in Elche, and Bulgaria, at the Nuevo Jose Zorrilla in Valladolid. However de la Fuente has opted to recall the 18-year-old, who returned from injury in the last week.

Image via RFEF

Nico Williams remains out injured for Athletic Club, and while he is expected to return from his hamstring issue shortly, the 22-year-old will not be risked.

Captain Alvaro Morata absent from Spain side

Significantly, Euro 2024-winning captain Alvaro Morata has been left out of the squad, with Samu Aghehowa, Ferran Torres and Mikel Oyarzabal preferred through the middle. That was one of the major absences, while Gavi, Fermin Lopez and Dani Carvajal all miss out through injury. Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Fabian Ruiz is left out as he makes his way back from injury.

New wave here to stay

Without Fabian, Bayer Leverkusen’s Aleix Garcia returns to the squad in midfield. The new wave of attacking talents also looks to be in the squad to stay though, with Jesus Rodriguez and Jorge de Frutos both remaining in the squad. De la Fuente handed debuts to both in La Roja’s clashes with Bulgaria and Turkiye last month.

Full Spain Squad:

Goalkeepers: Unai Simon, David Raya, Alex Remiro.

Defenders: Pedro Porro, Marcos Llorente, Dean Huijsen, Robin Le Normand, Pau Cubarsi, Dani Vivian, Marc Cucurella, Alejandro Grimaldo.

Midfielders: Martin Zubimendi, Rodri Hernandez, Pedri, Mikel Merino, Aleix Garcia, Alex Baena, Dani Olmo, Pablo Barrios.

Forwards: Lamine Yamal, Mikel Oyarzabal, Ferran Torres, Jorge de Frutos, Samu Aghehowa, Yeremy Pino, Jesus Rodriguez.