Head coach of Spain national football team, Luis Enrique left out all of Real Madrid’s Spanish players in his 24-man squad for the Euro 2020 tournament set to begin in June.
Amongst the players left out in Monday’s call up were Spain’s captain Sergio Ramos, Dani Carvajal, Marco Asensio, Isco and Nacho. Luis Enrique who served as manager for FC Barcelona from 2014 to 2017 said Sergio Ramos’ lack of regular playing time due to injuries was the reason he excluded him.
“I’ve not included Ramos because he’s not been able to play much this season,” Enrique said. “Especially since January he’s not been fit enough, and at times not even training with the group at his club”.
“It wasn’t easy, but I called him last night [Sunday] and we had a difficult and tough conversation. I feel bad as he’s a player who has always been at the top level and has a future with the national team. It’s a decision that I’ve taken for the good of the national team and the group as a whole.”
Other big names not making the squad include Kepa Arrizabalaga, Sergi Roberto, Sergio Reguilon, Hector Bellerin and Jesus Navas.
Meanwhile, Mr. Enrique selected three Barcelona players for the tournament out of which he managed two (Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquet) in his spell at the club.
Equally important players making the squad comprise Manchester City’s Aymeric Laporte who has been cleared this month to switch nationality. Adama Traoré of Wolverhampton Wanderers also made the squad whilst Chelsea’s César Azpilicueta saw a surprise recall.
Spain’s Euro 2020 squad in full
GK: David de Gea (Manchester United)
GK: Unai Simon (Athletic Bilbao)
GK: Robert Sánchez (Brighton & Hove Albion)
DF: Aymeric Laporte (Manchester City)
DF: Jordi Alba (Barcelona)
DF: Jose Gaya (Valencia)
DF: Pau Torres (Villarreal)
DF: Diego Llorente (Leeds United)
DF: Eric García (Manchester City)
DF: Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea)
MF: Sergio Busquet (Barcelona)
MF: Koke (Atletico Madrid)
MF: Marcos Llorenta (Atletico Madrid)
MF: Thiago (Liverpool)
MF: Rodri (Manchester City)
MF: Fabian (Napoli)
MF: Marcos Llorente (Atletico Madrid)
FW: Alvaro Morata (Juventus)
FW: Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad)
FW: Gerard Moreno (Villareal)
FW: Dani Olmo (RB Leipzig)
FW: Pedri (Barcelona)
FW: Ferran Torres (Manchester City)
FW: Adama Traore (Wolverhampton Wanderers)
FW: Pablo Sarabia (Paris Saint-Germain)
