In a decision that sparked widespread controversy, Luis de la Fuente announced the Spanish national team squad, revealing several major surprises ahead of the upcoming matches against Egypt and Serbia during the international break.
The squad saw several rising stars rewarded for their impressive performances this season, with new faces called up for the first time, most notably Cristian Mosquera, Ander Barrenetxea, and Víctor Muñoz, in addition to the return of Carlos Soler after a long absence.
The coach also surprised everyone by including goalkeeper Juan García, bringing the number of goalkeepers to four, an unusual move reflecting significant changes within the “La Roja” squad.
Controversial exclusion despite impressive performances
Despite his outstanding performances this season, Eric García was left out of the coach’s plans, a decision that drew sharp criticism within sporting circles, especially since he is considered a key player for Barcelona under Hansi Flick.
According to press reports, the recent injury he suffered against Newcastle United was not the primary reason for his exclusion, as he was not part of the coaching staff’s plans to begin with.
Defensive options exclude Barcelona star
De la Fuente prefers to rely on a different group in the back line, including names like Pau Cubarsí, Dean Huijsen, Aymeric Laporte, and Robin Le Normand, in addition to other players who give him multiple options.
The duo of Pedro Porro and Marcos Llorente also dominate the right-back position, making it even more difficult for Eric García to return to the squad.
Surprising support from within the federation
Amid the controversy, Santi Denia came out in defense of the player, emphasizing that his absence represents a significant technical loss and that he possesses the abilities to be an important element in any football project.
A blow before the World Cup dream
The exclusion of Eric García is a major blow to his international ambitions, especially with the 2026 World Cup approaching. His chances of being included in the final squad are now highly doubtful, despite his recent outstanding performances.
A surprising decision sparks controversy… Will De la Fuente reconsider or continue to ignore the Barcelona star?