Fati, Torres, Traore lead Spain squad full of fresh faces
FC Barcelona’s teenage forward Ansu Fati and new Manchester City signing Ferran Torres were among six debutants in the Spain squad coach Luis Enrique unveiled on Thursday.
The squad is for next month’s UEFA Nations League matches against Germany and Ukraine.
The 17-year-old Fati, who is Barca’s youngest league goalscorer as well as the youngest player ever to score in the UEFA Champions League, makes the leap into the senior team.
He is coming from the under-21 side after an outstanding breakthrough season with the Catalans.
Torres, who joined Manchester City from Valencia earlier this month for 23 million euros (27.25 million dollars), has also earned a first call-up to the senior side.
He is joining 19-year-old Manchester City defender Eric Garcia in the 24-man squad.
Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino, Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper Unai Simon and Real Madrid forward Oscar Rodriguez, who spent last season on loan with relegated Leganes, were also included in the squad.
There was no place in the team for any players from Atletico Madrid, however, with usual mainstays Saul Niguez, Koke, Alvaro Morata all missing out.
Marcos Llorente was also excluded in spite of a superb end to the campaign as a converted forward.
Spain, who failed to qualify for the final four of the Nations League in the last edition of the competition, will visit Germany on Sept. 3 before hosting Ukraine on Sept. 6.
Spain squad in full:
Goalkeepers: David de Gea (Manchester United), Kepa Arrizabalaga (Chelsea), Unai Simon (Athletic Bilbao)
Defenders: Jose Gaya (Valencia), Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid), Eric Garcia (Manchester City), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid)
Diego Llorente (Real Sociedad), Pau Torres (Villarreal), Jesus Navas (Sevilla), Sergio Reguilon (Sevilla)
Midfielders: Sergio Busquets (FC Barcelona), Rodri (Manchester City), Thiago Alcantara (Bayern Munich), Fabian Ruiz (Napoli)
Mikel Merino (Real Sociedad), Oscar Garcia (Real Madrid), Adama Traore (Wolverhampton Wanderers)
Forwards: Rodrigo Moreno (Valencia), Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad), Dani Olmo (RB Leipzig), Marco Asensio (Real Madrid)
Ferran Torres (Manchester City), Ansu Fati (Barcelona)