“I don't choose based on the club where he plays”

In a press conference broadcast by the publication Marca, he explained why there is no Real Madrid player among them, why other footballers were not included, how the selection was made, why certain players were chosen or how the team assesses its chances of winning the trophy.

Luis de la Fuente, explanations about the squad called for the World Cup

First, Luis de la Fuente talked about the lack of players at Real Madrid and the hesitations about the selection:

“I'm a national coach and I don't look at the club the footballers come from. They are national team players, I don't look at one club or another. I don't have this local patriotism that a fan might have. The only thing I want is for these footballers to feel the pride of representing the national team.

I want to say a few words to Dani Carvajal and Alvaro Morata for the importance they have had for us and for the importance I hope they will have in the future. They have left an indelible legacy of class and personality, but the generation of captains that remains is perfectly prepared. The door is closed to no one here.

It is difficult. When a call list is made, we work on it for months as we analyze all possible scenarios. It is difficult to judge which footballer would fit in a certain situation. But it comforts me that the players I called up, as well as some of the others outside the squad, could have been here too. We are satisfied, because yesterday, when we finalized the list, we slept soundly.”

He went on to talk about the eight players from Barcelona and especially Gavi and Pedri, but also about the health of Lamine Yamal, more precisely if he will be ready for the start of the tournament:

I don't know if there are eight, and if I did, I've already forgotten. They are national team players, nothing more. And Gavi he is a much-loved and much-appreciated footballer, he is the favorite of the whole team, I say it with affection. And from a football point of view, I have nothing to discover about him. It gives us everything they say. And he's coming back, he's going to be at the World Championship, so in terms of motivation you can't ask for more.

His injury Pedram at the European Championship it was an extremely hard blow, I suffered a lot because of it. I am happy that he has this opportunity and that he maintains the level he has shown at his club. If he keeps it, I'll jump for joy, but he's ready to do even more and he will.

We won't rush anything about Yamalwe coordinate with the club. The information we have is that they will all be ready for the first or second game. No more will be risked than necessary, but if a reasonable risk is required, with maximum certainty, the players themselves want to risk at a World Championship.”

Spain, European champion in 2024 / photo: Imago Images

The Spain coach continued to talk about who will defend the national team's goal at the World Cup. Unai Simon, David Raya and Joan Garcia, goalkeepers with constant developments in the club teams, are the 3 options at his disposal:

“This is a list that has been very well thought out and analyzed. We have been thinking about it for months. We have the best goalkeepers in the world and whoever was included in the squad would have been a full guarantee and could have started. We have three goalkeepers with stability and quality. The debate will be what it will be, but I am calm.”

Finally, Luis de la Fuente spoke about the possibility of Spain winning the World Cup:

“It's that simple, I'll make it clear. We feel like favorites, yes. We are capable of winning the World Championship, yes. But that doesn't guarantee anything, yes. There are other national teams that are as serious contenders as we are. We have a huge desire to fight to the end, but in football you can lose even when you are the better team. We will fight for everything, let no one doubt that,” the Spain coach said, according to the aforementioned source.

• Spain has won only one World Cup in history. It happened in 2010, at the edition in South Africa, after a final won against the Netherlands, score 1-0 after extra time.

Spain's squad for the World Cup

• Goalkeepers: Unai Simon (Athletic Bilbao), David Raya (Arsenal), Joan Garcia (Barcelona)

• Defenders: Marc Cucurella (Chelsea), Alejandro Grimaldo (Bayer Leverkusen), Pau Cubarsi (Barcelona), Aymeric Laporte (Athletic Bilbao), Marc Pubill (Atletico Madrid), Eric Garcia (Barcelona), Marcos Llorente (Atletico Madrid), Pedro Porro (Tottenham)

• Midfielders: Pedri (Barcelona), Fabian Ruiz (PSG), Martin Zubimendi (Arsenal), Gavi (Barcelona), Rodri (Manchester City), Alex Baena (Atletico Madrid), Mikel Merino (Arsenal)

• Strikers: Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad), Dani Olmo (Barcelona), Nico Williams (Athletic Bilbao), Yeremy Pino (Crystal Palace), Ferran Torres (Barcelona), Borja Iglesias (Celta de Vigo), Victor Munoz (Osasuna), Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)