Spain announce World Cup squad without any Real Madrid players for first time since 1950

Spain will travel to next month’s World Cup with a squad built around eight Barcelona players. The selection marks the first time since 1950 that Spain will go to a World Cup without a Real Madrid player. Defenders Dean Huijsen and Dani Carvajal were among those left out, leaving Barcelona to provide much of the team’s core. Luis de la Fuente said he does not consider club origins and focuses on players feeling proud to represent the national team. The squad includes Barcelona players such as Joan Garcia, Pau Cubarsi, Eric Garcia, Gavi, Pedri, Dani Olmo, Lamine Yamal, and Ferran Torres, plus seven Premier League-based players. Arsenal contributes David Raya, Martin Zubimendi, and Mikel Merino, while Rodri represents Manchester City. De la Fuente also addressed hamstring injury concerns for Yamal and Nico Williams, stating availability barring setbacks.

"European champions Spain will travel to next month's World Cup with plenty of Barcelona swagger but no-one from Real Madrid after manager Luis de la Fuente named a 26-man squad built around eight players from the Catalan club. It is the first time since 1950 that Spain will go to a World Cup without a Real Madrid player in their squad, a striking absence for the 15-times Champions League winners as De la Fuente prepares to lead one of the tournament favourites."

"De la Fuente played down the absence of the club'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."

"Barcelona's contingent includes Joan Garcia, Pau Cubarsi, Eric Garcia, Gavi, Pedri, Dani Olmo, Lamine Yamal 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 Fuente a commanding presence in midfield. The coach also addressed the injury concern regarding Yamal and Nico Williams, who will arrive at the tournament nursing hamstring issues. "We're very relaxed. Barring any setbacks, we'll have everyone available from the very fi"

Read at Irish Independent