Spain's World Cup Squad: Barcelona Dominance and No Real Madrid Players
The Unification of Spain's World Cup Squad
Luis de la Fuente has stressed that Spain's badge outranks any club crest after naming a World Cup squad with a distinctly Barcelona hue and, for the first time, no Real Madrid player in sight.
Barcelona's Dominance in the Squad
The European champions head into next month's tournament among the favourites, with coach De la Fuente's 26-man squad built around eight Barcelona players and none from the Spanish capital's biggest club, bringing the fierce El Clasico rivalry into the national team's debate.
The Data Behind the Squad Selection
- 8 Barcelona players in the squad
- 7 players from the Premier League
- 0 Real Madrid players in the squad
The Impact of El Clasico Rivalry on the National Team
Defenders Dean Huijsen and Dani Carvajal were among the Real Madrid names to miss out on a team chasing Spain's second World Cup title after their 2010 triumph in South Africa.
The Coach's Perspective
De la Fuente on Tuesday dismissed the idea that the decision could cost him support among Real Madrid fans.
“For me, the greatest team there is – the very greatest – is the Spanish national team,” De la Fuente said during a breakfast with media representatives organised by Spanish public broadcaster RTVE and news agency EFE.
“I don't look at where players come from or their background. What matters are Spanish players who are proud to represent their country's national team and to be part of a united nation.”
Yamal's Readiness for the World Cup
Barcelona's Lamine Yamal, 18, is expected to carry much of Spain's attacking threat and is 'raring to go' after an injury.
“Yamal is absolutely thrilled and raring to go,” he said. “He's a very young lad, just 18, but he has a remarkable sense of maturity and knows that this is his moment.
“You have to seize the moment. And he knows this is his moment.”