Atletico Madrid star delighted to be part of Spanish national team

Spain will play their final two Euro 2024 qualifier this week against Cyprus and Georgia on Thursday and Sunday, respectively. These two games are merely ceremonial and inconsequential as the La Roja have already secured qualification for the tournament in Germany alongside Scotland as the top two teams in Group A.

Perhaps, that’s the major reason Spain’s head coach Luis De La Fuentes, has called up some new faces into the national team for the first time. Coach Luis de la Fuente handed a first call-up to Real Sociedad goalkeeper Alex Remiro, who replaces injured Real Madrid goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, 

Girona midfielder Aleix Garcia, who has starred in Girona’s flying start this season in La Liga, and Atletico Madrid’s Rodrigo Riquelme also appear in the squad for the first time.

Atletico Madrid’s Rodrigo Riquelme is a 23-year-old attacking midfielder who can also play on the wing, he’s featured nine times in La Liga this year and four UEFA Champions League games. The winger spoke about his excitement about joining the national team and how it’s a dream come true.

“I need to savor and enjoy this. It’s reward for how I have been playing and I need to savor it. I am tremendously happy to be here to fulfill a dream. Now, I have to do my best to get more chances to come here.” Riquelme said.

Spain squad

Goalkeepers: Unai Simon (Athletic Bilbao), David Raya (Arsenal/ENG), Alex Remiro (Real Sociedad)

Defenders: Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid), Jesus Navas (Sevilla), Inigo Martinez (Barcelona), Pau Torres (Aston Villa/ENG), Robin Le Normand (Real Sociedad), David Garcia (Osasuna), Jose Luis Gaya (Valencia), Alejandro Grimaldo (Bayer Leverkusen/GER)

Midfielders: Rodrigo (Manchester City), Martin Zubimendi (Real Sociedad), Gavi (Barcelona), Mikel Merino (Real Sociedad), Fabian Ruiz (Paris Saint-Germain/FRA), Oihan Sancet (Athletic Bilbao), Rodrigo Riquelme (Atletico Madrid), Aleix Garcia (Girona)

Forwards: Alvaro Morata (Atletico Madrid), Joselu (Real Madrid), Ferran Torres (Barcelona), Nico Williams (Athletic Bilbao), Lamine Yamal (Barcelona), Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad)

Daniel Ademiju Idowu