EURO 2024
Spain boss De la Fuente confirms Euro 2024 squad with three players axed
Pau Cubarsí, Llorente and Aleix García were the three players who failed to make the final ‘La Roja’ squad for Germany
Pau Cubarsí, Marcos Llorente and Aleix García are the three players that have been omitted by Spain boss Luis de la Fuente as he confirms the definitive 26 man squad that will travel to Germany next week ahead of Euro 2024.
None of the three will travel to Palma (Mallorca) where ‘La Roja’ will play their final pre-tournament friendly as they take on Northern Ireland on Saturday.
Pau Cubarsí (Barcelona)
The 17-year-old Barcelona defender has already secured three caps and will no doubt have plenty of future call-ups for Spain after confirming his defensive qualities for FC Barcelona this season. Cubarsi will get to play on a major stage this summer and appears poised to be picked for the Spain team at the Olympic Games and Barça’s request for him not to play in two major competitions may also have had an influence in the decision making process.
Marcos Llorente (Atletico Madrid)
The Atletico winger found his place back in the Spanish national team set-up under Luis Enrique and made his international debut in November 11, 2020 against the Netherlands. His versatility and physical strength in midfield played in his favor but was edged out with fierce competition in the central area. The 29-year-old has made 19 appearances for the Spanish national side.
Aleix Garcia (Girona)
One of the standout players from Girona’s incredible 2023-24 season, Garcia was the third player in LaLiga in covering distance last season and is now turning the heads of some of the continent’s biggest clubs with his three goals and six assists last season. The 26-year-old played a minor role in the Andorra friendly game and always faced stiff competition from Rodri and Zubimendi in the central role.
Spain squad: Euro 2024
Goalkeepers: Unai Simón (Athletic Club), David Raya (Arsenal) & Alex Remiro (Real Sociedad).
Defenders: Jesús Navas (Sevilla), Robin Le Normand (Real Sociedad), Alejandro Grimaldo (Bayer Leverkusen), Dani Carvajal & Nacho Fernández (Real Madrid), Marc Cucurella (Chelsea), Aymeric Laporte (Al Nassr) & Daniel Vivian (Athletic Club).
Midfielders: Rodri Hernández (Manchester City), Martín Zubimendi & Mikel Merino (Real Sociedad), Fabián Ruiz (PSG), Alex Baena (Villarreal), Pedri & Fermín López (FC Barcelona).
Forwards: Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres (FC Barcelona), Álvaro Morata (Atlético Madrid), Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad), Nico Williams (Athletic Club), Joselu (Real Madrid), Dani Olmo (RB Leipzig), & Ayoze Pérez (Betis).
Spain are pitted in a complicated group with holders Italy, Croatia and Albania and kickstart their Group B action on Saturday 15 June taking on Luka Modric’s Croatia at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin.
De la Fuente’s men then face Italy in Gelsenkirchen before winding up the group with a test against Albania in Dusseldorf.
The top two teams from each group advance along with the best four third placed sides.