Barcelona Midfielder Gavi Excluded from Spain Squad as Real Defender Asensio Earns First Call-Up

Raul Asencio, a defender for Real Madrid, has received his inaugural call-up from Spain’s manager Luis de la Fuente on Friday for their upcoming two-legged Nations League quarter-final against the Netherlands.

The 22-year-old, who is a product of the Real Madrid academy, has made 14 appearances in LaLiga and eight in the Champions League this season. Barcelona’s Inigo Martinez has been recalled to the squad after having been omitted from Spain’s successful Euro 2024 squad.

“Raul has been having a brilliant season. He has come up through the lower divisions, and some players do accelerate their development,” stated De La Fuente.

“I firmly believe in giving youngsters a chance.”

Although Barcelona’s Gavi was anticipated to make his return to the national side after a 14-month spell out due to an ACL injury, he did not make the final selection by De La Fuente.

The manager expressed regret over the absence of numerous talented individuals but affirmed that he had chosen the strongest squad possible.

“There are plenty of outstanding players who could have been included. This reflects the high calibre of Spanish football. Unfortunately, while some are not on the list, many others are,” he commented.

“We have assembled an exceptional national team and, in my view, this is the finest squad we can present at this moment. As reigning champions of both the European Championship and Nations League, finalising this squad was no straightforward task.”

Forward Marco Asensio, who has rediscovered his form by scoring seven goals in eight appearances since joining Aston Villa on loan from Paris Saint-Germain in the mid-season transfer window, has also been excluded.

Spain will take on Ronald Koeman’s Netherlands away on Thursday, before returning for the second leg at home on March 23rd.

“This is the first instance where we’ve had to coach a double-header. I thoroughly enjoy the second game being played at home, and I believe the outcome will not be decided until we reach Mestalla (the stadium in Valencia),” said De La Fuente.

“We’re up against one of the best teams in Europe, and we’ll need to perform at the same level we did during the European Championship.”

Spain Squad

Goalkeepers: David Raya (Arsenal), Unai Simon (Athletic Bilbao), Alex Remiro (Real Sociedad).

Defenders: Pedro Porro (Tottenham Hotspur), Oscar Mingueza (Celta Vigo), Robin Le Normand (Atletico Madrid), Pau Cubarsi (Barcelona), Inigo Martinez (Barcelona), Raul Asencio (Real Madrid), Alejandro Grimaldo (Bayer Leverkusen), Marc Cucurella (Chelsea).

Midfielders: Martin Zubimendi (Real Sociedad), Marc Casado (Barcelona), Fabian Ruiz (Paris St-Germain), Mikel Merino (Arsenal), Alex Baena (Villarreal), Pedri (Barcelona).

Forwards: Lamine Yamal (Barcelona), Nico Williams (Bilbao), Ferran Torres (Barcelona), Yeremy Pino (Villarreal), Dani Olmo (Barcelona), Ayoze Perez (Villarreal), Alvaro Morata (Galatasaray), Bryan Zaragoza (Osasuna), Samuel Aghehowa (Porto), Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad).

(Reported by Shifa Jahan in Bengaluru; Edited by Christian Radnedge)