Spain has named a 26-man World Cup squad led by coach Luis de la Fuente, including Lamine Yamal and seven players based in the Premier League. Yamal, along with other Barcelona players, is part of the roster after Spain’s Euro 2024 success, with Nico Williams also included despite fitness disruptions. Mikel Merino returns to the squad after recovering from injury, joining Arsenal teammates David Raya and Martin Zubimendi. Real Madrid is absent for the first time since 1950, with Dean Huijsen dropped due to injury and Dani Carvajal excluded after an injury-hit season. De la Fuente emphasized national pride over club bias and highlighted excitement and passion for the tournament.
"Lamine Yamal has been included in Spain's squad for the World Cup named by coach Luis de la Fuente, who also included Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino to the European champions' roster after his recent return from injury. For the first time since 1950, Spain's World Cup squad will not include a Real Madrid player as De la Fuente opted against naming one in his 26-man squad named on Monday. Real Madrid's Dean Huijsen was dropped due to an injury and veteran Dani Carvajal also excluded after struggling through an injury-hit campaign."
"Along with teenager Barca star Yamal, Athletic Bilbao's Nico Williams played a key role as Spain won Euro 2024 and he is in the squad despite a season badly disrupted by fitness issues. Yamal, 18, is a doubt for the first matches of the tournament after suffering a hamstring injury with Barca which has kept him out since late April. De la Fuente played down the absence of Madrid's players, preferring to highlight those who are in the squad."
"I'm the manager and I don't look at where the players come from. They're national team players; I don't look at one club or another. I don't have the same local bias that a fan might have. All I want is for these players to feel proud to represent the national team, De la Fuente told reporters. In addition to Yamal, Barcelona's contingent includes Joan Garcia, Pau Cubarsi, Eric Garcia, Gavi, Pedri, Dani Olmo and Ferran Torres, while seven players called up are based in the Premier League."
"Excitement is the key word. Passion, De la Fuente said. The reaction of people all over Spain adults and children alike is that they are fully behind the national team. It is an honour for me to represent the national team. Arsenal provide three of Spain's Premier League-based players in goalkeeper David Raya and midfielders Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Merino, while Manchester City's Rodri gives De la Fue"
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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