The midfielder’s last match for the national team was in 2019; see what the coach had to say about the return of the former Real Madrid icon
Multi-champion Real Madrid player, attacking midfielder Isco Alarcón is back in the Spanish national team after six years. He is new to the list released this Monday (26/5) by coach Luis de la Fuente for the final phase of the UEFA Nations League. Among the audience, the highlight is midfielder Rodri, current Ballon d’Or winner and Manchester City star, who recently returned from a serious knee injury. In great form at Real Betis, Isco, 33, last took the field with the national team in June 2019. He has played 38 games for La Roja. “It was time for Isco to help us. He will contribute a lot. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be here,” said De la Fuente in a press conference.
“Isco was always on all the pre-lists. And he could have gone to the Euros or not. They were the best and they showed it”, highlighted the coach.
Rodri was left out of the call-up, despite having already returned to play for Manchester City after recovering from a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, suffered in mid-September last year. “Rodrigo is important, he has an exceptional influence. He only has ten minutes (on the pitch). That says it all. It was not the time to take risks”, explained De la Fuente.
The highlight of the list is the young striker Lamine Yamal, 17 years old, who shone this season with Barcelona, winner of the Spanish Super Cup, the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Championship. “He is a very mature boy for his age. Judging by his behavior, he seems older. He is so good because he deals very well with complicated situations”, stated De la Fuente.
The Spanish National Team will play the Nations League semi-final against France on June 5th in Stuttgart. If they win, the team will play in the final three days later, in Munich, against whoever wins the duel between Portugal and Germany.
