Barca's Gavi out of Spain's Nations League squad
Barcelona midfielder Gavi has missed out on a place in the Spain squad that will face Netherlands in the two-legged quarter-finals of the UEFA Nations League this month.
The 20-year-old returned to action for his club last October after missing almost a year after an anterior cruciate ligament injury and was expected to make an international comeback in Spain's upcoming last-eight tie.
However, Spain coach Luis de la Fuente has omitted the midfielder, who played a crucial role in helping it win the UEFA Nations League in 2023.
Meanwhile, there is a place for Raul Asencio in the squad as the Real Madrid defender earns his first senior call-up, while Barca defender Inigo Martinez is also included after not featuring in its victorious UEFA Euro 2024 campaign.
"Raul was having a fantastic season. He had been in lower divisions, but some players speed up their development," De La Fuente said.
Asencio, 22, has made 14 LaLiga and eight UEFA Champions League appearances this season.
Marco Asensio, who has scored seven goals in eight appearances for Aston Villa on loan from Paris Saint-Germain, also does not feature in the roster.
"There are many good players who could be on this list. It’s a reflection of the high level of Spanish football. Unfortunately, some are not included, but others are," the Spain boss said.
"We have formed a super national team and this is the best list that can be made right now, in my opinion. We are the reigning European and Nations League champions, and making this squad is not easy."
Meanwhile, Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman has recalled Memphis Depay, who has two goals and four assists in 10 appearances for Brazilian side Corinthians this season, while defender Matthijs de Ligt is also included in the Oranje party.
But De Ligt's Manchester United team-mate Joshua Zirkzee is not included, while Stefan de Virj, Nathan Ake and Micky van de Ven are also absent.
Spain squad: David Raya (Arsenal), Unai Simon (Athletic Club), Alex Remiro (Real Sociedad); Pedro Porro (Tottenham Hotspur), Oscar Mingueza (Celta Vigo), Robin Le Normand (Atletico Madrid), Pau Cubarsi (Barcelona), Inigo Martinez (Barcelona), Raul Asencio (Real Madrid), Alejandro Grimaldo (Bayer Leverkusen), Marc Cucurella (Chelsea); Martin Zubimendi (Real Sociedad), Marc Casado (Barcelona), Fabian Ruiz (Paris Saint-Germain), Mikel Merino (Arsenal), Alex Baena (Villarreal), Pedri (Barcelona); Lamine Yamal (Barcelona), Nico Williams (Athletic Club), Ferran Torres (Barcelona), Yeremy Pino (Villarreal), Dani Olmo (Barcelona), Ayoze Perez (Villarreal ), Alvaro Morata (Galatasaray), Bryan Zaragoza (Osasuna), Samuel Aghehowa (Porto), Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad).
Netherlands squad: Mark Flekken (Brentford), Nick Olij (Sparta Rotterdam), Bart Verbruggen (Brighton & Hove Albion); Mathijs de Ligt (Manchester United), Denzel Dumfries (Inter Milan), Jeremie Frimpong (Bayer Leverkusen), Lutsharel Geertruida (RB Leipzig), Jorrel Hato (Ajax), Jurrien Timber (Arsenal), Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool), Jan Paul van Hecke (Brighton & Hove Albion); Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona) Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool), Teun Koopmeiners (Juventus), Tijjani Reijnders (AC Milan), Jerdy Schouten (PSV), Kenneth Taylor (Ajax); Brian Brobbey (Ajax), Memphis Depay (Corinthians), Cody Gakpo (Liverpool), Justin Kluivert (Bournemouth), Noa Lang (PSV), Donyell Malen (Aston Villa), Xavi Simons (RB Leipzig).
