Lamine Yamal heads up a Spain squad for the World Cup that features no Real Madrid players. -AP
Lamine Yamal is the headliner of Spain's squad for the World Cup as one of eight men from Barcelona, while there is no player from Real Madrid among the 26 named by coach Luis de La Fuente.
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Yamal, 18, is nursing a thigh muscle injury but is expected to be fit again for the June 11-July 19 tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada, as is fellow forward Nico Williams from Athletic Bilbao.
Spain won the World Cup in 2010 but have since not gone beyond the round of 16. However, they crowned themselves European champions in 2024 and are considered a top contender at the World Cup.
It could have been even more than eight players from LaLiga champions Barcelona had Fermin Lopez not suffered a foot fracture recently.
In contrast, Real are not represented. Defender Dean Huijsen was a candidate but was left out, along with veteran full back Daniel Carvajal.
Midfielders Mikel Merino from Arsenal and Fabian Ruiz from Paris Saint-Germain are in the squad after injuries.
Spain plays tune-up matches against Iraq on June 4 and Peru five days later.
Their first World Cup match is on June 15 against debutants Cape Verde. Saudi Arabia and Uruguay are their other opponents in Group H.
