In a surprising move, forward Marco Asensio was left out when three-time champions Spain announced their 29-man preliminary squad for the European Championship on Monday.
Instead, Ferran Torres and Ayoze Perez secured spots on the roster. Notably, Barcelona teenagers Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsi were included, alongside their teammate Fermin Lopez, who received his first call-up.
Real Madrid center-back Nacho made a return to the squad, while defenders Sergio Ramos, Pau Torres, and Pedro Porro were omitted. However, the exclusion of Paris Saint-Germain’s Asensio stood out as the biggest shock.
“I admire Asensio. Let’s focus on those who are here and give them the value they deserve,” said coach Luis de la Fuente during 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.”
De la Fuente hinted that there could still be changes before the final squad is announced. “Maybe one of those players that now I’m thinking that wouldn’t make the cut for the tournament changes my mind and makes his case to deserve a place in the final 26-man squad,” he said. The deadline for the final squad announcement is June 7.
Acknowledging potential setbacks, De la Fuente added, “Unfortunately, there could be injuries. We want to give guarantees and minimize the risks.”
Spain, last year’s UEFA Nations League champions, will play home friendlies against Andorra and Northern Ireland before heading to Germany. They will kick off their Group B campaign against Croatia on June 15 in Berlin.
De la Fuente expressed confidence in Spain’s ability to perform well in the tournament. “In everyone’s mind are the teams that are going to go all the way in this European Championship,” he stated. “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.”
Here is the preliminary squad for Spain:
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 Saint-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)
