Lamine Yamal in Spain squad but no Real Madrid players

Spain's World Cup squad announcement has made headlines for its unprecedented exclusion of all Real Madrid players, a decision coach Luis de la Fuente defended as being based on merit rather than club affiliation.

De la Fuente emphasized his role as national team coach means he looks beyond club loyalties. "I don't look at one club or another. I don't have that local bias a fan might have," he stated. He added that his primary goal is for the players to feel proud representing Spain. Real Madrid's absence from the squad comes after a season where they finished eight points behind La Liga champions Barcelona and won no trophies.

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They're national team players. I don't look at one club or another. I don't have that local bias a fan might have. The only thing I want is for these footballers to feel proud of representing the national team.

Mikel Merino, a midfielder favored by De la Fuente, has been included despite a four-month layoff due to a foot stress fracture, having recently returned for Arsenal's final Premier League game. The squad also features seven Premier League players, including Arsenal teammates David Raya and Martin Zubimendi, Tottenham's Pedro Porro, Chelsea's Marc Cucurella, Manchester City's Rodri, and Crystal Palace's Yeremy Pino.

Young Barcelona star Lamine Yamal, an 18-year-old forward, is included but is considered a doubt for Spain's opening matches due to a hamstring injury sustained in late April. Coach De la Fuente expressed confidence that players returning from injury, like Yamal and Gavi, would be ready for the tournament's early stages. Spain is set to play Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, and Uruguay in Group H, beginning on June 15.

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Excitement is the key word. Passion. The reaction of people all over Spain - adults and children alike - is that they are fully behind the national team.