MADRID, May 27 — Spain coach Luis de la Fuente named Barcelona’s teenage stars Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsi in a 29-man Euro 2024 squad list on Monday.
De la Fuente must cut three players before June 7 for the tournament that kicks off in Germany on June 14.
De la Fuente left out various players who have been involved in the last few years, including Marco Asensio, Gerard Moreno and Pablo Sarabia.
Yamal, 16, has burst into the limelight this season with Barcelona, along with 17-year-old centre-back Cubarsi.
“It’s a guarantee against any set-back that could happen in the Champions League final, or in training, that would generate a problem,” said the coach.
“They all have the same chance (of going), we will minimise risks, we have very versatile players.”
Spain, who won the European Championship in 1964, 2008 and 2012, reached the semi-finals of the last edition.
They are in a “group of death”, facing Italy, Croatia and Albania in Group B.
Before the tournament Spain face Andorra on June 5 and Northern Ireland on June 8 in friendlies.
Spain’s 29-man squad list:
Goalkeepers: Unai Simon (Athletic Bilbao), Alex Remiro (Real Sociedad), David Raya (Arsenal/ENG)
Defenders: Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid), Jesus Navas (Sevilla), Pau Cubarsi (Barcelona), Robin Le Normand (Real Sociedad), Dani Vivian (Athletic Bilbao), Nacho Fernandez (Real Madrid), Aymeric Laporte (Al Nassr/KSA), Alex Grimaldo (Bayer Leverkusen/GER), Marc Cucurella (Chelsea/ENG)
Midfielders: Rodri Hernandez (Manchester City/ENG), Martin Zubimendi, Mikel Merino (Real Sociedad), Marcos Llorente (Atletico Madrid), Fabian Ruiz (Paris Saint-Germain/FRA), Pedri, Fermin Lopez (both Barcelona), Alex Baena (Villarreal), Aleix Garcia (Girona)
Forwards: Alvaro Morata (Atletico Madrid), Joselu (Real Madrid), Nico Williams (Athletic Bilbao), Dani Olmo (RB Leipzig/GER), Lamine Yamal, Ferran Torres (both Barcelona), Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad), Ayoze Perez (Real Betis) — AFP