Spain Euro 2024 Squad: Youth Leads the Charge for La Roja
Barcelona teenagers Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsí headline a youthful Spain squad selected by manager Luis de la Fuente for the Euro 2024 tournament in Germany. The 29-man provisional squad, announced Monday, will be trimmed to 26 before Spain’s opening match against Croatia on June 15th.
The inclusion of Yamal and Cubarsí marks a significant commitment to youth, with both players enjoying breakthrough seasons at Barcelona. Yamal, a 16-year-old winger, has secured a regular starting role, showcasing impressive skill and goal-scoring ability. Cubarsí, a 17-year-old center-back, has solidified the Barcelona defense since his debut in January.
Their Barcelona teammate, Fermín López, a 21-year-old midfielder who scored 11 goals in his debut season, also received his first senior call-up. Ayoze Pérez, a forward from Real Betis, joins López as the other newcomer to the national team.
Experienced players like Manchester City’s Rodri, Real Madrid’s Dani Carvajal, Sevilla’s Jesús Navas, and Atlético Madrid’s Álvaro Morata provide a veteran presence amidst the youthful exuberance of the squad. These seasoned internationals will be crucial in guiding the younger players through the pressures of a major tournament.
Notable absences include PSG forward Marco Asensio. Injuries have sidelined key players like Gavi, Alejandro Balde, and José Gayà, impacting De la Fuente’s selection choices. Despite concerns surrounding his fitness, Barcelona midfielder Pedri has been included in the squad, highlighting his importance to the team.
The squad also features several players who have impressed in La Liga and other European leagues this season. Bayer Leverkusen’s Alex Grimaldo, Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella, Real Sociedad’s Martín Zubimendi, Girona’s Aleix García, Villarreal’s Álex Baena, and Athletic Club’s Nico Williams have all earned their places based on strong performances for their respective clubs.
Spain, aiming for their fourth European Championship title after victories in 1964, 2008, and 2012, face a challenging group stage. Following their opening match against Croatia in Berlin, they will take on Italy in Gelsenkirchen and conclude the group stage against Albania in Düsseldorf.
Prior to the tournament, Spain will fine-tune their preparations with friendly matches against Andorra and Northern Ireland. These games will provide valuable opportunities for De la Fuente to assess his squad and solidify his starting lineup. The Spain Euro 2024 Squad blends youthful talent with experienced leadership, creating an exciting mix with the potential for a deep run in the tournament.
The full Spain Euro 2024 squad includes goalkeepers Unai Simón, Álex Remiro, and David Raya; defenders Dani Carvajal, Jesús Navas, Aymeric Laporte, Robin Le Normand, Nacho, Vivian, Pau Cubarsi, Alex Grimaldo, and Cucurella; midfielders Rodri, Martin Zubimendi, Fabián Ruiz, Mikel Merino, Llorente, Pedri, Aleix García, Aleix Baena, and Fermín López; and forwards Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Nico Williams, Álvaro Morata, Joselu, Ferran Torres, Mikel Oyarzabal, and Ayoze Pérez.