Valencia’s Spain drought, the last seven to play for the national team | OneFootball

Luis de la Fuente’s latest Spain squad for the friendlies against Egypt and Serbia again contains no Valencia player, extending a two-year spell without club minutes for the national team. The club’s last international minutes came from José Luis Gayà on 19 November 2023, a 3-1 win over Georgia in Euro qualifying.

According to Superdeporte, injuries have curtailed Gayà since then and no team-mate has filled the gap.

Hugo Guillamón debuted in 2021 against Lithuania when a COVID outbreak meant the under-21s played, scoring, with his last Valencia-era minutes in 2022.

Carlos Soler’s last Spain appearance as a Valencia player came in June 2022 in the Nations League, when he scored against Czech Republic. Since leaving, he has remained in squads, including the latest, though his last official game was at the World Cup in Qatar.

Dani Parejo last played for Spain in September 2019 against Faroe Islands. Rodrigo’s final cap as a Valencia player was a 1-1 draw with Sweden, in which he scored.

Paco Alcácer’s final Spain outing as a Valencia footballer came in March 2016 against Romania. Roberto Soldado completes the list, debuting with a hat-trick in 2012 and last involved at the 2013 Confederations Cup.

Since Gayà’s appearance in 2023, Spain have played 25 matches without Valencia minutes. Pepelu received a call-up in 2024 but did not debut.

Valencia’s focus on survival over Europe helps explain the disconnect. With the 2026 World Cup approaching, change looks unlikely without a clear uptick in team and individual performance.

Source: Superdeporte