Forward Marco Asensio was the surprise omission when three-time champions Spain named their 29-man preliminary squad for the European Championship on Monday as Ferran Torres and Ayoze Perez made the cut.
Barcelona teenagers Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsi were also included along with team mate Fermin Lopez who received his first call-up.
Real Madrid centre back Nacho returned to the squad as defenders Sergio Ramos, Pau Torres and Pedro Porro missed out but the omission of Paris St Germain's Asensio was the biggest shock.
"I admire Asensio. Let's focus on those who are here and give them the value they deserve," coach Luis de la Fuente told a news conference on Monday.
"I am left with their (Torres and Perez) enthusiasm. In addition to their talent, they have shown enthusiasm. They are very versatile players. Fermin is going to make a leap forward with this call-up. I hope they show all the potential they have."
"Maybe one of those players that now I'm thinking that wouldn't make the cut for the tournament changes my mind and make his case to deserve a place in the final 26-man squad" De La Fuente said.
The deadline for naming the final squad is June 7.
"Unfortunately, there could be injuries," De La Fuente said. "We want to give guarantees and minimise the risks."
Last year's UEFA Nations League champions Spain play home friendlies against Andorra and Northern Ireland before travelling to Germany where they begin their Group B campaign against Croatia on June 15 in Berlin.
De La Fuente said he was confident Spain had the ability to go deep in the tournament.
"In everyone's mind are the teams that are going to go all the way in this European Championship," he said. "This story has a certain end. Only two teams are going to make it. We are going to try to fight to go all the way."
Spain preliminary squad:
Goalkeepers: Unai Simon (Athletic Bilbao), Alex Remiro (Real Sociedad), David Raya (Arsenal).
Defenders: Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid), Jesus Navas (Sevilla), Aymeric Laporte (Al-Nassr), Nacho Fernandez (Real Madrid), Robin Le Normand (Real Sociedad), Pau Cubarsi (Barcelona), Dani Vivian (Athletic Bilbao), Alex Grimaldo (Bayer Leverkusen), Marc Cucurella (Chelsea).
Midfielders: Rodrigo (Manchester City), Martin Zubimendi (Real Sociedad), Fabian Ruiz (Paris St-Germain), Mikel Merino (Real Sociedad), Pedri (Barcelona), Marcos Llorente (Atletico Madrid), Aleix Garcia (Girona), Alex Baena (Villarreal), Fermin Lopez (Barcelona).
Forwards: Alvaro Morata (Atletico Madrid), Joselu (Real Madrid), Dani Olmo (Leipzig), Nico Williams (Athletic Bilbao), Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad), Ayoze Perez (Real Betis), Ferran Torres (Barcelona), Lamine Yamal (Barcelona).
Latest Stories
-
African Music Week Accra 2025 launched
10 minutes -
Vicky Hamah, Joyce Bawah and Zanetor Rawlings must feature prominently in Mahama’s Administration
18 minutes -
Kelvynboy blames career challenges on Stonebwoy’s “mafia tactics”
31 minutes -
Unilever targets kids with the launch of new Pepsodent Kids toothpaste
47 minutes -
My award would have been more meaningful if galamsey had been stopped – Erastus Asare Donkor
59 minutes -
Come again, Clara Beeri Kasser-Tee; Where are the Inconsistencies in the EC’s work?
1 hour -
Bagbin is right for his position on quashed MP results – Lawyer Amanda Clinton
1 hour -
Expand STEM education to reach rural areas – Prof Ernest Aryeetey to incoming administration
1 hour -
“Stop being crybabies” – Benjamin Quashie to NPP over disputed parliamentary seats
1 hour -
New Juaben Omanhene prioritises environmentally friendly initiatives
1 hour -
Consultant calls for women empowerment, strategic family planning to address teenage pregnancy and poverty
2 hours -
Accra Archdiocese holds Nine Lessons and Carols
2 hours -
Residents in Volta region rally behind Gabriel Kwamigah Tanko Atokple for Council of State representation
2 hours -
Cedi gained 1.44% to dollar last week; one dollar going for GH¢15.75
2 hours -
HR practitioners told to push for increased mental-health investments
3 hours