Spain cut Cubarsí, Llorente from Euro 2024 squad
Pau Cubarsí, Marcos Llorente and Aleix García have been cut from Spain‘s final 26-man squad for Euro 2024.
Coach Luis de la Fuente had picked an initial group of 29 players for friendlies this week, with Spain beating Andorra 5-0 on Wednesday and playing Northern Ireland in Mallorca on Saturday.
He has now opted to leave out Barcelona defender Cubarsí, Atlético Madrid midfielder Llorente and Girona‘s García for the tournament, which will see Spain face Croatia, Italy and Albania in Group B.
Cubarsí, 17, starred for Barcelona last season and could still feature for Spain at this summer’s Olympic Games in Paris, with the squad yet to be announced.
Llorente was part of the Spain squad for Euro 2020 and the 2022 World Cup, while playmaker García, who impressed for Girona in their unexpected challenge for the LaLiga title last season, has made just two appearances for his country.
“I feel like I’ve been unfair with Cubarsi,” De la Fuente said in a news conference later on Friday. “But I’ve been fair with those who are in the squad. I rate Pau highly, but I also rate those who are staying. They’re four very different centre-backs, but all of a top level.
“Llorente was in the preliminary squad because he’s a versatile player, and now we have players in all those positions. He’s an extraordinary player.”
Spain lifted back-to-back Euros in 2008 and 2012, but have often struggled in international tournaments since.
They reached the Euro 2020 semifinals and won the 2023 UEFA Nations League, but crashed out of the 2022 World Cup in the round of 16.
Real Betis forward Ayoze Pérez performed well in this week’s friendly win over Andorra, earning himself a place in the final squad, as did Barcelona teenager Fermín López.
“[Ayoze] is there because he’s earned it and he’s had a fantastic year,” De la Fuente said. “He has talent, class and he scores goals.”
Spain open their Euro 2024 campaign against Croatia on June 15, before playing Italy on June 20 and Albania on June 24 in a difficult group.
Spain squad:
Goalkeepers: Unai Simón (Athletic Bilbao), David Raya (Arsenal), Álex Remiro (Real Sociedad)
Defenders: Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid), Jesús Navas (Sevilla), Aymeric Laporte (Al-Nassr), Robin Le Normand (Real Sociedad), Nacho Fernández (Real Madrid), Dani Vivian (Athletic Bilbao), Alejandro Grimaldo (Bayer Leverkusen), Marc Cucurella (Chelsea)
Midfielders: Rodrigo (Manchester City), Martín Zubimendi (Real Sociedad), Mikel Merino (Real Sociedad), Fabián Ruiz (Paris Saint-Germain), Pedri (Barcelona), Álex Baena (Villarreal), Fermín López (Barcelona)
Forwards: Ferran Torres (Barcelona), Dani Olmo (Leipzig), Nico Williams (Athletic Bilbao), Álvaro Morata (Atlético Madrid), Joselu (Real Madrid), Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad), Lamine Yamal (Barcelona), Ayoze Pérez (Real Betis).
