November 11, (THEWILL) – Luis Enrique has named Spain’s 2022 World Cup squad with the two biggest stars omitted being Liverpool’s Thiago Alcantara and Paris Saint-Germain’s Sergio Ramos.
Pedri and Gavi are among the younger players that Enrique is setting up his team around, and young Barcelona attacker Ansu Fati will be playing in his first big competition having been included as one of the rising stars of the national side going to represent the footballing nation.
Yet, despite being one of Liverpool’s top players during their poor season, Thiago is left out. Similarly, it appears Ramos has fallen out of favour with Enrique because the Paris Saint-Germain player also missed the European Championships in 2014, having missed much of the season due to injury and it appears the 36-year-old may never again play in a World Cup even if he has been a crucial part of PSG’s defence this season.
There are other notable exclusions. Villarreal forward Gerard Moreno, Chelsea keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, and conspicuously Manchester United goalie David de Gea, who has long ago lost Enrique’s favour.
This will be Spain’s 12th straight World Cup and Enrique’s team is placed in one of the tournament’s toughest groups. They are grouped alongside Germany, the 2014 champion, as well as Japan and Costa Rica.
The full squad list includes:
Goalkeepers
Unai Simon (Athletic Bilbao)
Robert Sanchez (Brighton & Hove Albion)
David Raya (Brentford).
Defenders
Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea)
Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid)
Eric Garcia (Barcelona)
Hugo Guillamon (Valencia)
Pau Torres (Villarreal)
Aymeric Laporte (Manchester City)
Jordi Alba (Barcelona)
Jose Gaya (Valencia).
Midfielders
Sergio Busquets (Barcelona)
Rodri (Manchester City)
Gavi (Barcelona)
Carlos Soler (Paris Saint-Germain)
Marcos Llorente (Atletico Madrid)
Pedri (Barcelona)
Koke (Atletico Madrid).
Forwards
Ferran Torres (Barcelona)
Nico Williams (Athletic Bilbao)
Yeremi Pino (Villarreal)
Alvaro Morata (Atletico Madrid)
Marco Asensio (Real Madrid)
Pablo Sarabia (Paris Saint-Germain)
Dani Olmo (RB Leipzig)
Ansu Fati (Barcelona).
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.