Spain Call-Ups: 2013 Confederations Cup

On Monday, Vicente del Bosque announced the preliminary list of 26 players called up for two friendlies and the Confederations Cup in Brazil. After the final round of La Liga matches this weekend, 3 players will be cut.

Goalkeepers

Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Jose Reina (Liverpool), Victor Valdes (Barcelona). 

Defenders  

Jordi Alba (Barcelona), Raul Albiol (Real Madrid), Alvaro Arbeloa (Real Madrid), Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea), Nacho Monreal (Arsenal), Gerard Pique (Barcelona), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid). 

Midfielders  

Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), Benat Etxebarria (Real Betis), Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Santi Cazorla (Arsenal), Cesc Fabregas (Barcelona), Javi Garcia (Manchester City), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Javi Martinez (Bayern Munich), Juan Mata (Chelsea), Jesus Navas (Sevilla), Pedro (Barcelona), David Silva (Manchester City) Xavi (Barcelona). 

Forwards 

Fernando Torres (Chelsea), Roberto Soldado (Valencia), David Villa (Barcelona).

*Absentees: Puyol, who as not played for Barcelona since March due to knee surgery. David de Gea, Isco and Thiago Alcantara were called up for the Under-21 side taking part in the European Championships in Israel this summer and are therefore unavailable.

The squad will fly to Miami on June 4 for two friendlies and after head to Brazil for the Confederations Cup.

Friendlies: 

June 8 v Haiti - Miami

June 11 v Ireland - New York

Confederations Cup (June 15-30):

June 16 v Uruguay - Recife

Spain will also meets Tahiti and Nigeria

Del Bosque on...

Re-call ups: "When Torres and Martinez didn't come in before, it was because we didn't think the moment was right. Now it is the opposite - they are both in good form." 

** Torres has scored 31 goals in 101 appearances for La Roja, 22 goals in 64 appearances for Chelsea this season

Iker not playing for Madrid: "He's one of us. Iker had a small injury. I don't think it's a problem he hasn't played for a few months. He has been training and is in good condition."

Final decision: "It's almost impossible to have every player who merited a place. (Cesc) Fabregas, (David) Villa, Torres and Soldado are our four strikers. You could just as easily ask why we didn't include (Imanol) Agirretxe, Iago Aspas, Michu. We can't bring in everybody. We've deemed it fit to call up Soldado because he's had a great season. We've called up those players who are going to help us have the best tournament. Everyone wants to come. No one has said 'I am tired'. The desire to go to a great event is still in tact. We only want people who are completely committed to the national team. It's an important competition, there are four world champions and an Olympic champion there. We have to have people who are absolutely delighted to be included in the squad."

La Liga Campion Celebration 2013

Monday, May 13, 2013