Barcelona´s Gavi out of Spain squad to face Netherlands in Nations League

Barcelona midfielder Gavi has missed out on a place in the Spain squad that will face the Netherlands in the two-legged quarter-finals of the Nations League this month.

The 20-year-old returned to action for his club last October after missing almost a year due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury and was expected to make an international comeback in their upcoming last-eight tie, to be played between 20 and 23 March.

However, Spain coach Luis de la Fuente has omitted the midfielder, who played a crucial role in helping them win the Nations League in 2023.

Meanwhile, there is a place for Raul Asencio in the squad as the Real Madrid defender earns his first senior call-up, while Barca defender Inigo Martinez is also included after not featuring in their victorious Euro 2024 campaign.

“Raul was having a fantastic season. He had been in lower divisions, but some players speed up their development,” De La Fuente said.

Asencio, 22, has made 14 LaLiga and eight Champions League appearances this season.