A blow to Real Madrid…an unprecedented surprise in the Spanish World Cup squad

Young star Lamine Jamal leads the Spain national football team announced by coach Luis de la Fuente on Monday, which was devoid of any Real Madrid player for the first time in the World Cup in history.

The squad saw the return of Arsenal’s English player Mikel Merino after recovering from injury.
For the first time in the World Cup, La Roja’s squad does not include a Real Madrid player after Dean Hausen and veteran Dani Carvajal were excluded after suffering from injuries throughout the season.
De La Fuente’s favorite, Merino, who recently won the English Premier League title, participated as a substitute against Crystal Palace on Sunday at the end of the local season, in his first appearance since January after recovering from a broken foot.
De La Fuente also summoned defenders Eric Garcia and Mark Poppel after distinguished seasons with Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, respectively, while another Atletico player, Robin Le Normand, was also excluded.
In addition to Jamal, Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams played a major role in leading Spain to the European Cup title in 2024, and he was in the World Cup squad despite a turbulent season with physical problems.
As for Jamal (18 years old), he is at risk of missing the first matches of the tournament scheduled in the United States, Mexico and Canada due to a hamstring injury he suffered with the Catalan giant, which has kept him out of action since late April.
Below is the complete lineup:
– Goalkeepers: Unai Simon (Athletic Bilbao), David Raya (Arsenal), Joan Garcia (Barcelona)
– Defense: Marcos Llorente, Mark Popil (Atletico Madrid), Pedro Boro (Tottenham, England), Aymeric Laporte (Athletic Bilbao), Eric Garcia, Pau Cuparci (Barcelona), Mark Cucurea (Chelsea, England), Alejandro Grimaldo (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany).
– Midfield: Rodri (Manchester City, England), Martin Sobemendi, Mikel Merino (Arsenal), Pedri, Gavi (Barcelona), Fabian Reus (Paris Saint-Germain, France), Alex Baena (Atletico Madrid)
– Attack: Jeremi Benno (Crystal Palace), Victor Muñoz (Osasuna), Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad), Ferran Torres, Lamine Jamal, Dani Olmo (Barcelona), Nico Williams (Athletic Bilbao), Borja Iglesias (Celta Vigo).