Santi Cazorla returns to the Spain squad 4 years after his last call-up
The Villarreal midfielder, a European champion with Spain in 2008 and 2012, is the suprrise addition in the list. He's back with the national team at the age of 34.
Earlier this morning, Santi Cazorla received an unexpected phonecall which made his day - the Asturian midfielder shed tears of joy when Robert Moreno, Luis Enrique's assistant, called him from Las Rozas to tell him he has been recalled for international duty with Spain. Cazorla returns to the Spain squad four years after his last call-up and following the torment of his probelmatic Achilles tendon which left him unable to play for two years and required 10 visits to the operating table. Luis Enrique has rewarded Cazorla, 34, who has surprised everyone by his return to the game and superb performances with Villarreal.
Cazorla beside himself with joy at Spain recall
Cazorla said he feels "happier than when I got my first call-up from Luis Aragonés", sources close to the player told AS. The Spain list was announced this morning by Roberto Moreno, who is standing in for Luis Enrique while the Spain coach is on indefinite leave due to personal issues. Cazorla missed out on Spain's triumph in 2010 when the team won the World Cup in South Africa due to the problems with his ankle. But he was in the squad which were crowned European champions in 2008 and 2012 and he was a mainstay under Luis Aragonés and Del Bosque. At club level, he has enjoyed success and been a fans' favourite at all of the teams he's played for - Villarreal CF, Recreativo de Huelva, Málaga CF and Arsenal FC.
Euro 2020 qualifiers
Spain take on the Faroe Islands in Torshavn on 7 June and Sweden three days later at the Santiago Bernabéu in Madrid in Matchdays 3 and 4 of their Euro 2020 qualifiers. Luis Enrique's team currently top Group F with two wins from two.
The full Spain list:
Goalkeepers: De Gea (Manchester United), Kepa (Chelsea), Pau López (Betis).
Defenders: Carvajal (Real Madrid), Ramos (Real Madrid), Mario Hermoso (Espanyol), Diego Llorente (Real Sociedad), Iñigo Martínez (Athletic), Jordi Alba (Barcelona), Sergi Roberto (Barcelona), Gayà (Valencia), Jesús Navas (Sevilla).
Midfielders: Busquets (Barcelona), Rodrigo Hernández (Atlético), Parejo (Valencia), Isco (Real Madrid), Fabián Ruiz (Napoli), Cazorla (Villarreal).
Forwards: Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad), Rodrigo Moreno (Valencia), Asensio (Real Madrid), Iago Aspas (Celta), Morata (Atlético).