Marcos Llorente

Atletico Madrid · UEFA Nations League · Defender · #5 · Spain · 30 yrs

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Marcos Llorente

Defender · #5

Legal name: Marcos Llorente Moreno
Age: 30
Nationality: Spain
Height: 183
Weight: 74
Preferred foot: —
Injured: No
Current club: Atletico Madrid ATM

Player headlines

How old will Lamine Yamal and Spain’s 2026 World Cup players be in 2030, and could they return?

worldsoccertalk.com · 4 days ago

Spain reached the 2026 World Cup final with a very young squad, one where Lamine Yamal and other stars will surely be chasing another final by the 2030 edition. Regardless of how Sunday’s final against Argentina ends, Spain are building their next cycle around a core that is remarkably young for a team competing at the very top of the sport, meaning the 2030 World Cup window looks wide open for most of this squad. Unlike other contenders whose stars are racing against the clock, Spain’s headline name points in the opposite direction. Lamine Yamal will be just 22 years old when the next edition kicks off, meaning the Barcelona forward, already a World Cup finalist before turning 19, could realistically feature in three or four more tournaments beyond this one. The same applies to much of the spine of this team. Pedri, Gavi and Pau Cubarsi will all still be in their mid-twenties by 2030, while captain Rodri and Mikel Merino should remain firmly within their prime years, giving Luis de la Fuente — or whoever succeeds him — a squad capable of chasing back-to-back finals. Not everyone in the squad shares that outlook. Veterans such as Aymeric Laporte, Marcos Llorente, Alex Grimaldo and Borja Iglesias will all be past 34 by the next tournament, leaving their participation far less certain than that of their younger teammates. Aymeric Laporte of Spain. (Getty Images) Spain team’s age in 2030 PositionPlayerBirthdate / AgeAge for the 2030 edition (from June 8)GoalkeeperUnai Simon06/11/1997 (29)33GoalkeeperDavid Raya09/15/1995 (30)33GoalkeeperJoan Garcia05/04/2001 (25)29DefenderMarc Cucurella07/22/1998 (27)30DefenderAlex Grimaldo09/20/1995 (30)33DefenderPau Cubarsi01/22/2007 (19)23DefenderAymeric Laporte05/27/1994 (32)36DefenderMarc Pubill03/25/2003 (23)27DefenderEric Garcia01/09/2001 (25)29DefenderPedro Porro09/13/1999 (26)29DefenderMarcos Llorente01/30/1995 (31)35MidfielderPedri11/25/2002 (23)26MidfielderFabian Ruiz04/03/1996 (30)34MidfielderMartin Zubimendi02/02/1999 (27)31MidfielderGavi08/05/2004 (21)24MidfielderRodri06/22/1996 (30)33MidfielderAlex Baena07/16/2001 (25)28MidfielderMikel Merino06/22/1996 (30)33ForwardLamine Yamal07/13/2007 (19)22ForwardVictor Muñoz07/13/2003 (23)26ForwardDani Olmo05/07/1998 (28)32ForwardYeremy Pino01/20/2002 (24)28ForwardNico Williams07/12/2002 (24)27ForwardFerran Torres02/29/2000 (26)30ForwardBorja Iglesias01/17/1993 (33)37ForwardMikel Oyarzabal04/09/1997 (29)33

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Are there any 2010 World Cup winners in Spain’s 2026 final squad?

worldsoccertalk.com · 6 days ago

A new World Cup final was reached by Spain after they beat France as they try to repeat what they did in 2010. A team that has at least met expectations at the 2026 World Cup is Spain, who reached the final to face Argentina with the trophy on the line in just the second World Cup final appearance in the country’s history. The biggest achievement for Spain has been successfully renewing the squad after the golden generation that lifted the trophy in South Africa, led by greats such as Xavi, Andrés Iniesta, Carles Puyol, Sergio Busquets, David Villa and Iker Casillas. That team won the title in 2010, which means there are no players left from that squad. The last player from that generation to represent Spain was Jesús Navas, who remained part of the team until not long ago as he won the Euro 2024. The 2026 team Goalkeepers: David Raya, Joan García, and Unai Simón. Defenders: Marc Pubill, Alejandro Grimaldo, Eric García, Pedro Porro, Aymeric Laporte, Pau Cubarsí, and Marc Cucurella. The team of the final (Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) Midfielders: Marcos Llorente, Mikel Merino, Fabián Ruiz, Gavi, Álex Baena, Rodri, Martín Zubimendi, and Pedri. Forwards: Ferran Torres, Dani Olmo, Yéremy Pino, Nico Williams, Lamine Yamal, Mikel Oyarzabal, Víctor Muñoz, and Borja Iglesias. The 2010 team Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas, Víctor Valdés, and Pepe Reina. Defenders: Raúl Albiol, Gerard Piqué, Carlos Marchena, Carles Puyol, Joan Capdevila, Sergio Ramos, and Álvaro Arbeloa. Midfielders: Andrés Iniesta, Xavi Hernández, Cesc Fàbregas, Xabi Alonso, Sergio Busquets, Javi Martínez, and David Silva. Forwards: David Villa, Fernando Torres, Juan Mata, Pedro Rodríguez, Fernando Llorente, and Jesús Navas.

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How old every Spain player was when Lionel Messi made his professional debut: Two weren’t even born

worldsoccertalk.com · last week

Lionel Messi has been a professional player for over 20 years, which means most of Spain players were very young when he made his debut. Lionel Messi‘s professional career has lasted more than two decades, and it still is not over. The Argentina captain has one more huge challenge ahead as the World Cup final against Spain. His remarkable longevity means some of his opponents were not even born when he made his debut. Even if he had already appeared in friendlies with the first team, Messi made his official debut with Barcelona on October 16, 2004, at just 17 years old. He came on as a substitute for Deco in the 82nd minute of a 1-0 victory. The match was played at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, which Barcelona recently used during the Camp Nou renovation and which was Espanyol’s home at the time. He was not an immediate starter, but Messi quickly established himself as one of the brightest young talents in world soccer. Age of each player PlayerDate of birthAge when Messi made his professional debutUnai SimónJune 11, 19977David RayaSeptember 15, 19959Joan GarcíaMay 4, 20013Aymeric LaporteMay 27, 199410Alejandro GrimaldoSeptember 20, 19959Marcos LlorenteJanuary 30, 19959Marc CucurellaJuly 22, 19986Pedro PorroSeptember 13, 19995Eric GarcíaJanuary 9, 20013Marc PubillJune 20, 20031Pau CubarsíJanuary 22, 2007Not bornRodriJune 22, 19968Fabián RuizApril 3, 19968Mikel MerinoJune 22, 19968Martín ZubimendiFebruary 2, 19995Álex BaenaJuly 20, 20013PedriNovember 25, 20021GaviAugust 5, 20042 monthsBorja IglesiasJanuary 17, 199311Mikel OyarzabalApril 21, 19977Dani OlmoMay 7, 19986Ferran TorresFebruary 29, 20004Nico WilliamsJuly 12, 20022Yéremy PinoOctober 20, 20021Víctor MuñozJuly 13, 20031Lamine YamalJuly 13, 2007Not born

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Report: Lamine Yamal training separately but no concerns ahead of 2026 World Cup final vs Argentina

worldsoccertalk.com · last week

Lamine Yamal has trained separately in Spain national team but reports claim that this won't be a concern heading to the 2026 World Cup final agains Argentina. Spain has officially begun its final preparations ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup final against Argentina this Sunday at MetLife Stadium. However, one of the more eye-opening developments of Thursday’s practice session came when reports surfaced indicating winger Lamine Yamal was training separately from the main group, though team officials insist there is currently no concern regarding his availability for the championship match. As reported by Spanish outlets Diario Sport and Mundo Deportivo, Yamal initially took the pitch alongside his teammates at the Melanie Lane Training Grounds, but he stepped aside during “rondo” warm-up drills to work individually on a sideline mat. The FC Barcelona phenom went through a series of light stretching exercises and followed a tailored physical program to manage his workload ahead of the final. In the semifinal victory over France, Yamal played the full 90 minutes and had a stunning goal disallowed for offside while once again proving to be Spain’s most dangerous attacking outlet. However, sources indicate he is currently nursing a minor knock and slight discomfort in his right ankle, which occurred after an awkward landing on the final play of the game. Additionally, during Thursday’s session, the teenager was spotted wearing a compression wrap on his left thigh. This is the same muscular zone that was injured prior to the tournament, an ailment that sidelined him for over a month and forced him to miss the final stretch of the domestic season with Barcelona. Alarm bells in Spain: Lamine Yamal trained separately just days before the World Cup final against Argentina pic.twitter.com/vPdAiBPrA4— World Soccer Talk (@worldsoccertalk) July 16, 2026 Despite the cautionary measures, the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) remains completely calm regarding Yamal’s physical condition. Team doctors fully expect the winger to rejoin the main group for Friday’s training session and be at 100 percent for the final against Argentina. Pedro Porro also training individually Starting right back Pedro Porro was another notable contributor held out of the full squad session to work through an individual recovery program. Porro experienced acute muscle tightness during the semifinal clash against France, leading to his 84th-minute substitution for Marcos Llorente, but the knock is not expected to threaten his availability for Sunday. The dynamic fullback has developed into one of Spain’s most essential tactical assets, balancing defensive stability with immense attacking production. His relentless overlapping runs and intelligent inside underlaps have already produced two crucial tournament goals, finding the net against Austria and France to make him Spain’s joint-second leading scorer in the World Cup alongside Mikel Merino.

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Nico Williams and Yeremy Pino could return for Spain in the 2026 World Cup knockout stage despite injuries

worldsoccertalk.com · 4 weeks ago

Spain have established as one of the best national teams at the 2026 World Cup. After finishing top of their group, they will face Austria, but they will be without Nico Williams and Yeremy Pino. However, both players could still return to the squad for the later stages of the tournament. Despite disappointing in their debut, Spain managed to secure two key victories over Saudi Arabia and Uruguay to finish top of their group. As a result, they will face Austria in the Round of 32 as clear favorites. However, head coach Luis de la Fuente faces a significant challenge, as Nico Williams and Yeremy Pino will not be available. Despite this, both players could still feature later in the knockout stage. “Radiological tests performed on Yeremy Pino ruled out a fracture, diagnosing him instead with an acromioclavicular sprain. Meanwhile, Nico Williams suffered a muscle injury to his right adductor after a heavy impact caused by a tackle during the match against Uruguay. Both injuries are considered moderate, and their recovery will determine their availability for the remainder of the World Cup,” the Royal Spanish Soccer Federation reported on its website. No recovery timeline has been provided for Nico and Yeremy, but both will remain with the Spain squad, suggesting that neither injury is serious. However, they may not return until the later stages of the tournament. As a result, Luis de la Fuente will have far less squad rotation than expected in the upcoming matches. With this in mind, all eyes are on Lamine Yamal, who must step up and deliver another standout performance. While Yeremy Pino arrived at the 2026 World Cup injury-free from Crystal Palace, Nico Williams came into the tournament after a season marked by physical problems. The 23-year-old star suffered a groin injury, muscle overload, two cases of pubalgia, and a thigh injury with Athletic Bilbao. Therefore, Spain may choose not to rush his recovery, using him only as an impact substitute if he returns. This differs from Pino, who could make an earlier return. Alex Baena #15 and Rodri Hernandez #16 of Spain celebrate a goal. Victor Muñoz and Dani Olmo could take center stage for Spain Throughout the 2026 World Cup, head coach Luis de la Fuente has strongly backed Lamine Yamal and Álex Baena as his starting wingers. Therefore, the absences of Nico Williams and Yeremy Pino would not be a major blow to his current tactical approach. Instead, Spain will place their hopes on Víctor Muñoz and Dani Olmo, who could take on more prominent roles as backups in the upcoming matches. Even though Víctor Muñoz is still dealing with physical issues, Luis de la Fuente revealed that he is close to recovering. As a left winger with strong dribbling ability, he could offer Spain tactical alternatives against teams such as Croatia or Portugal, their likely opponents in the Round of 16. Likewise, Dani Olmo can play on either wing, making him key to giving Lamine Yamal or Álex Baena some rest. Luis de la Fuente could also rely on Ferran Torres. With a more goalscoring and central profile, Spain would gain additional tactical options. In addition, Pedro Porro or Marcos Llorente could occupy the entire flank, complementing the team. However, Víctor Muñoz and Dani Olmo are the leading candidates to step up because of their profiles and experience in the role, as they have regularly played there for the national team and delivered strong performances.

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Is Lamine Yamal playing? Uruguay vs Spain confirmed lineups for the 2026 World Cup Group H game

worldsoccertalk.com · 4 weeks ago

Spain and Uruguay clash at the 2026 World Cup Matchday 3, in a decisive game that will define the positions from Group H. Uruguay and Spain meet at Guadalajara Stadium in the final round of 2026 World Cup Group D fixtures, with both nations knowing the result will go a long way toward deciding who tops the group and who books a Round of 32 spot. Spain head into this one in pole position after their dramatic turnaround. La Roja opened the tournament with a 0-0 draw against Cape Verde but responded emphatically on Matchday 2, beating Saudi Arabia 4-0. For this crucial game looking to secure a spot in the next round, Lamine Yamal will start, as the forward returned to the lineup against Saudi Arabia after being eased back from injury. Uruguay, meanwhile, arrive under considerably more pressure. Marcelo Bielsa’s side has been unable to turn good performances into wins, playing out a 1-1 draw with Saudi Arabia before another leveled match, this time 2-2 against Cape Verde. Lamine Yamal celebrates a goal for Spain. (Getty Images) With just two points to their name, La Celeste know a win is the safest route into the knockout stage, while anything less leaves their fate tangled up with the simultaneous Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia game in Houston. Spain confirmed lineup Luis De la Fuente looks set to stick with the same approach that overwhelmed Saudi Arabia, only making one change as Alex Baena will replace Nico Williams on the front. Spain’s confirmed starting XI: Unai Simón; Marcos Llorente, Pau Cubarsí, Aymeric Laporte, Marc Cucurella; Rodri, Mikel Merino, Pedri; Lamine Yamal, Mikel Oyarzabal, Alex Baena. Uruguay confirmed lineup For this game, Marcelo Bielsa decided to use Darwin Núñez ahead of Federico Viñas, who struggled to make an impact in the draw with Cape Verde. With everything on the line, Bielsa will turn to his most clinical finisher from kickoff. Uruguay’s confirmed starting XI: Fernando Muslera; Guillermo Varela, Sebastián Cáceres, Mathías Olivera, Juan Manuel Sanabria; Federico Valverde, Manuel Ugarte, Rodrigo Bentancur; Agustín Canobbio, Darwin Núñez, Maximiliano Araújo.

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Spain 4-0 Saudi Arabia: World Cup 2026 – live

theguardian.com · last month

⚽️ Kick-off: 12pm local time/5pm BST/2am (Mon) AEST⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Email JohnThe Spain coach, Luis De La Fuente had this to say in his Saturday press conference: “This generation of footballers is highly competitive and really fired up... It’s going to be a completely different story,” he said at his pre-match press conference on Saturday. There is no drama or crisis. The bottom line is simply that we need to win tomorrow.”Four changes for Spain: Lamine Yamal, Pedro Porro, Dani Olmo and Alex Baena also come into the side with Marcos Llorente, Fabian Ruiz, Ferran Torres and Gavi dropping out. Continue reading...

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2026 World Cup: Luis de la Fuente defends Spain’s performance after 0-0 draw against Cape Verde

worldsoccertalk.com · last month

Despite arriving as clear favorites to claim the victory, Spain drew against Cape Verde in their debut at the 2026 World Cup. In response to the criticism, head coach Luis de la Fuente has decided to defend his team's performance, making his viewpoint clear. Spain arrived as clear favorites to shine in their 2026 World Cup debut. However, they drew against Cape Verde in a dull 0-0 result. Following this, they have faced considerable criticism, as they were unable to make their possession count in any meaningful way. Despite the noise, head coach Luis de la Fuente decided to defend his team’s performance, making his approach for the upcoming matches clear. “I’m perfectly fine with the noise and the criticism, but this team is reliable no matter what. By the way, today we surpassed 32 matches unbeaten. This is a team that, based on the numbers, is extraordinarily reliable. We’ll be better in the next match, that’s for sure. We know how difficult this type of competition is… There is nothing that generates any doubt or distraction for us… We will continue on the path that has brought us here,” Luis de la Fuente said on press conference. Despite Spain having 74% possession, they managed only seven shots on target, disappointing all of their supporters. Far from engaging in self-criticism, De la Fuente warns that they will not adjust their tactical approach, but that does not mean they will not make changes to their starting lineup. With Saudi Arabia as their next opponent, they could look for greater efficiency in front of goal. While Spain have a very complete roster, Luis de la Fuente only made changes in the 71st minute, leaving little time to react. While the late introduction of Lamine Yamal is understandable because he is coming back from injury, Dani Olmo and Nico Williams played only a few minutes, something that was heavily criticized by the supporters. Therefore, they could make adjustments to their lineup while maintaining their attacking approach. Ryan Mendes #20 of Cabo Verde controls the ball under pressure from Gavi #9 and Rodri #16 of Spain. Spain’s Luis de la Fuente explains Gavi’s role as left winger Heading into the match against Cape Verde, Spain knew they would have a great deal of possession. Despite this, head coach Luis de la Fuente decided to deploy Gavi as a left winger. After failing to produce key passes or goals, this decision has been heavily criticized by the supporters. Nevertheless, head coach has decided to explain the tactical reasons behind his decision to use the 21-year-old star on the left flank. “The idea with Gavi on the wing was also to create superiority through the middle, in order to open up channels for the players arriving from deeper positions. Then, we looked for something different with Lamine and Nico, although by then it was also a bit more out of desperation. But during the first half we also had clear crossing opportunities with Cucurella and Marcos Llorente,” explained Luis de la Fuente in the latest press conference. After the attacking struggles, Luis de la Fuente could decide to rely on the duo of Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams on the wings. However, Mikel Oyarzabal’s finishing in front of goal has to improve significantly, as he went 30 minutes without touching the ball even once. In addition, Gavi could be key in midfield alongside Pedri, especially against teams that sit very deep defensively.

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Is Lamine Yamal playing? Spain vs Cape Verde confirmed lineups for the 2026 World Cup Group H game

worldsoccertalk.com · last month

Spain and Cape Verde face each other in their 2026 World Cup debut. While Luis de la Fuente’s team arrives as the main protagonist, the uncertainty lies with Lamine Yamal, who is returning from injury and whose participation remains a major question mark. Spain face Cape Verde in their debut at the 2026 World Cup. After shining in the UEFA qualifiers, Luis de la Fuente’s team arrives as clear favorites, as they have top-level stars in their squad. However, the presence of Lamine Yamal remains a major doubt, as he is just returning from injury and has not had playing time with Barcelona. Because of this, fans are closely watching the 18-year-old star’s status ahead of the match. Lamine Yamal will be on the bench for Spain at the 2026 World Cup. Head coach Luis de la Fuente has revealed that he is in perfect condition and has completed full team training. However, he has not had any match time, and his inclusion in the starting lineup could be quite risky. Despite this, he could still come on from the bench vs. Cape Verde as a top-level impact substitute to gradually build up playing time. Without Yamal on the field, head coach Luis de la Fuente will opt for Ferran Torres as the right winger. Alongside him, Gavi and Mikel Oyarzabal will complete the starting lineup. In addition, Pedri, Rodri Hernández and Fabian Ruiz will be responsible for controlling the game in midfield. Although Joan García and David Raya are coming off incredible seasons, Unai García will be the starting goalkeeper, as he is a key pillar of the team. Cape Verde do not have world-class players, but they have managed to build a solid squad. Head coach Bubista has developed a strong attacking approach, making use of their speed on the wings. As a result, Jovane Cabral and Ryan Mendes will start as wingers. In addition, Livramento will once again play as the centre forward, looking to exploit the spaces in the opponent’s defense. Lamine Yamal of Spain celebrates scoring with Nico Williams. Spain confirmed lineup vs Cape Verde Spain arrive as clear favorites to defeat Cape Verde. With Lamine Yamal on the bench, head coach Luis de la Fuente is expected to start Ferran Torres on the right wing. In addition, Pedri will once again lead his national team’s midfield, creating space in the opposition’s defense. However, Mikel Oyarzabal is expected to be the most productive player, as he is very complete and arrives in excellent scoring form, looking to repeat his performances. Considering this, Spain will play as follows: Unai Simón; Marcos Llorente, Pau Cubarsí, Aymeric Laporte, Marc Cucurella; Rodri Hernández, Pedri, Fabian Ruiz; Ferran Torres, Mikel Oyarzabal, Pablo Gavi. Cape Verde confirmed lineup vs Spain Unlike Spain, Cape Verde arrive at the 2026 World Cup with no pressure at all. In their first-ever appearance in the tournament, they aim to be protagonists in attack. However, they may need to first build stability defensively, as their opponent excels in ball possession. For this, Roberto Lopes and Diney Borges could be the center-backs, aiming to provide solidity to withstand their rival. With this in mind, Cape Verde will lineup as follows: Vózinha; Steven Moreira, Roberto Lopes, Diney Borges, Sidny Cabral; Deroy Duarte, Kevin Lenini; Ryan Mendes, Jamiro Monteiro, Jovane Cabral; Livramento.

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Why Dani Carvajal is missing the 2026 World Cup for Spain

worldsoccertalk.com · last month

The 2026 World Cup presents a major challenge for Spain as they chase their second world title, and they will have to do it without veteran right-back Dani Carvajal in North America. Spain is gearing up for a high-stakes campaign in the 2026 World Cup, hunting for the second trophy in the nation’s history. However, La Roja will be missing one of its most decorated modern legends. Real Madrid icon Dani Carvajal will not be with the squad, as manager Luis de la Fuente made the executive decision to leave the veteran defender off the final roster. Instead of relying on the Carvajal, De la Fuente opted to hand the right-back responsibilities to Tottenham’s Pedro Porro and Atletico Madrid’s Marcos Llorente. The snub was definitive; Carvajal didn’t even make the cut for Spain’s preliminary 55-man provisional pool. When announcing his final 26-man tournament roster, De la Fuente addressed the high-profile absences of both Carvajal and forward Alvaro Morata (who missed out following his season with Como), making sure to emphasize that their international careers aren’t necessarily over. “Their cycle is not over,” De la Fuente stated. “Better times will come when I can count on them again. They have left an indelible legacy of gentility, personality, leadership, and captaincy with capital letters”. Daniel Carvajal after winning the 2024 UEFA Euro with Spain. (Getty Images) A frustrating final season in Madrid The World Cup omission marks a bittersweet conclusion to a grueling domestic campaign for Carvajal. It was far from the ideal farewell season the 34-year-old envisioned as he wrapped up a legendary 13-year chapter with Real Madrid—a historic run that yielded 27 major trophies and saw him tie Paco Gento’s record with six Champions League titles. Unfortunately for the veteran, his body simply didn’t cooperate during his final year at the Santiago Bernabéu. A severe muscle injury during the fall derailed his start to the season, forcing him to miss the opening stretch of the Champions League alongside some LaLiga fixtures. The nightmare deepened just after his initial return to full fitness. Carvajal managed to feature in just a single El Clásico against Barcelona before a knee injury sidelined him yet again. That knee setback sidelined him for an additional 12 matches across all competitions. By the time he successfully worked his way back onto the pitch, he had lost his place in Madrid’s starting XI. Restrained to just 23 total appearances over the entire club season, Carvajal’s lack of match sharpness and durability concerns made it impossible for Luis de la Fuente to justify a spot for him on the plane to the World Cup.

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Why isn’t Lamine Yamal playing for Spain in its final pre-World Cup friendly against Peru?

worldsoccertalk.com · 2 months ago

Spain is facing Peru as its last rival prior to the 2026 World Cup, but Lamine Yamal won't be featuring in the game. Spain will square off against Peru on Monday, June 8, in their final international friendly before the kickoff of the 2026 World Cup at Estadio Cuauhtemoc in Puebla, Mexico. While entering the tournament as one of the clear title favorites, questions continue to swirl regarding the status of star Lamine Yamal and his availability for the match. Lamine Yamal will sit out the clash against Peru, as the Barcelona forward continues to rehab a hamstring injury in his left leg. The discomfort sidelined the 18-year-old winger during the final stretch of the club season with the Blaugrana, and that will remain the case for Spain’s pre-World Cup tune-ups. The attacker already missed last Thursday’s friendly against Iraq, where La Roja turned in a sluggish performance in a 1-1 draw at Estadio Riazor in La Coruña, bidding farewell to their home fans before traveling to North America. In that matchup, manager Luis de la Fuente deployed Ferran Torres on the right flank, who accounted for Spain’s lone goal. The ultimate goal for the Spanish national team is to have Yamal fit enough to feature in their World Cup opener against Cape Verde on Monday, June 15. The winger is expected to see limited minutes against both the African nation and Saudi Arabia, with the final group-stage clash against Uruguay targeted as the timeline for his return to Spain’s starting XI. Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams and Victor Munoz of Spain. More stars sidelined for Spain Beyond Yamal, Spain will also be without the services of both Víctor Muñoz and Nico Williams for the match against Peru. All three players remained at Spain’s World Cup base camp in Chattanooga, Tennessee, to focus on their respective rehabilitation programs, and they issued a joint message to Mexican fans expressing their excitement to meet them for the Uruguay game. Upon arriving at Estadio Cuauhtémoc, De la Fuente updated reporters on the status of the players who didn’t make the trip: “All three are within the timeframe to be able to arrive in good condition to play on the 15th; we don’t know the exact minutes, but Lamine’s injury was different from Nico’s and Victor’s. Each one has their own process and duration, but the most important thing is that within the parameters we have, they can be met for the 15th—they will be met so that they are with us in a position to be lined up at some point during the match.” Projected lineups for Spain and Peru Spain’s projected lineup (4-3-3): David Raya; Marcos Llorente, Pau Cubarsi, Aymeric Laporte, Marc Cucurella; Pedri, Rodri, Fabian Ruiz; Ferran Torres, Mikel Oyarzabal, Dani Olmo.Head coach: Luis De La Fuente. Peru’s projected lineup (4-2-3-1): Pedro Gallese; Oliver Sonne, Renzo Garces, Fabio Gruber, Marcos Lopez; Andre Carrillo, Erick Noriega; Kenji Cabrera, Jairo Velez, Jairo Concha; Adrian Ugarriza.Head coach: Mano Menezes.

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Real Madrid presidential candidate Enrique Riquelme commits to signing a World Cup player with Spain

worldsoccertalk.com · 2 months ago

Enrique Riquelme claimed he's signing a player representing Spain at the World Cup if he becomes Real Madrid president. While most clubs are already planning for the transfer window now that the season is over, Real Madrid have a huge date coming up, with June 7 set to be a major day for the presidential election. Florentino Pérez will face off against Enrique Riquelme, who suggested in an interview with “El Partidazo de COPE” that he has already secured a World Cup player for Spain. Riquelme said: “Real Madrid does not have a single player in the Spanish national team. In the 16 World Cups that have taken place, there have always been Real Madrid players involved. As a Madrid fan, that frustrates me, but there is a solution. If I become Real Madrid president, there will be a Spanish national team player at the World Cup who belongs to Real Madrid.” While Riquelme did not name any player, the clue offers a big hint about who he may have been referring to after promising to sign two top players. From the list of 26 players, eight are from Barcelona, so those can be ruled out unless there is another Luis Figo-type betrayal, which does not seem very likely. The player Riquelme may be referring to The goalkeepers, apart from Joan García, can also be ruled out, with Real Madrid already having Thibaut Courtois. Among the defenders who do not play for Barcelona, the names that stand out are Marcos Llorente and Marc Cucurella, but they would not be major-impact signings for a club like Real Madrid. Rodri has been linked to the club (Michael Regan/Getty Images) Martín Zubimendi is another name that fits the profile. However, Arsenal are unlikely to sell a player they just bought for 65 million euros. Mikel Merino is also on the list and plays for an English club, but he occupies a position Real Madrid already have covered. The answer may be in midfield, with the player every fan wants: Rodri. The Manchester City midfielder has been linked with the club recently and would fill a position the team lacks. Even if Riquelme did not name him, his words could point in that direction. The forwards include some interesting options as well. With Lamine Yamal ruled out, Nico Williams looks like the strongest possibility, but his preferred role on the left wing would not fit Kylian Mbappé and Vinicius. Mikel Oyarzabal is another possible name, albeit he is unlikely to be the one, since it would not represent a major impact for the club. The manager The other major task for the new president is choosing the right manager to replace Álvaro Arbeloa. Most see José Mourinho as the main candidate for Pérez, but Riquelme’s words also fit the Portuguese coach, especially when he was asked about his preferred option. Riquelme said: “He is not free. We finalized the manager before announcing the candidacy.”

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Julian Alvarez prioritising Barcelona move: Diego Simeone relationship and Marcos Llorente fuel talk

sports.yahoo.com · 2 months ago

Atletico Madrid star Julian Alvarez will reportedly prioritise a move to Barcelona this summer if he is to leave the Metropolitano this summer. Talk continues to be fueled that Alvarez could leave Los...

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Osasuna 1-2 Atletico Madrid: Lookman and Sorloth help visitors survive late Llorente red card

soccernews.com · 2 months ago

Atletico Madrid made it three wins from their last four LaLiga matches as they beat Osasuna 2-1 at Estadio El Sadar despite Marcos Llorente’s late red card. Ademola Lookman and Alexander Sorloth had put Atletico in control before Llorente was dismissed, and even though Kike Barja’s late goal threatened a nervy finish, the visitors were […] The post Osasuna 1-2 Atletico Madrid: Lookman and Sorloth help visitors survive late Llorente red card appeared first on Soccer News.

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Marcos Llorente and Antoine Griezmann react to Atletico-Arsenal draw – ‘Another war next week’

sports.yahoo.com · 3 months ago

Atletico Madrid’s players seemed pleased with their performance after their 1-1 draw against Arsenal in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final at the Metropolitano. There was a slight re...

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Julian Alvarez reportedly receives positive injury update after surpassing Lionel Messi in UCL goalscoring record

worldsoccertalk.com · 3 months ago

After being forced off the game against Arsenal and surpassing a Lionel Messi goalscoring record in the UEFA Champions League, Julian Alvarez has reportedly received a positive injury update. Julian Alvarez made headlines on Wednesday for two very different reasons, finding the net against Arsenal before being forced off with an injury. Despite the concern that followed his exit, reports have emerged with an encouraging update on the striker’s condition, and he did so after eclipsing a Lionel Messi record in the UEFA Champions League. With Atletico Madrid searching for an equalizer in the second half, Marcos Llorente won a penalty after the ball struck Ben White’s hand in the box, and Alvarez stepped up to convert in the 56th minute. The mood quickly shifted in the 74th minute, however, when Eberechi Eze landed heavily on Alvarez’s knee and ankle after a challenge, sending the Argentine to the ground in obvious discomfort. He was replaced by Alex Baena in the 78th minute. Despite visibly showing concern on the substitutes’ bench, Argentine journalist and insider Gaston Edul has confirmed that Alvarez’s situation is “nothing to worry about.” The striker came off due to a momentary twist and will undergo further testing, but the early indications point to a minor issue rather than anything more significant. Head coach Diego Simeone also addressed Alvarez’s condition in his post-match comments on Movistar+. “They will perform a test on Thursday to see what the issue is. We hope it’s as minor as possible,” he said, before adding in the press conference that he expects the Argentine to be available for the second leg. Julian Alvarez of Atletico de Madrid is challenged by Martin Zubimendi and Declan Rice of Arsenal. Simeone also shed light on the broader injury situation within the squad following the first leg. “Giuliano had a collision with Piero Hincapie at the start, a blow to the waist that was bothering him a lot. Let’s hope that is also minor. Alexander Sorloth said his leg was bothering him during the warmup, and we protected him so as not to force anything,” the coach said. Alvarez surpasses Messi’s record in the Champions League With 10 goals and four assists in 14 games, Alvarez is in the midst of his finest personal run in the Champions League, and his fitness for the second leg at the Emirates Stadium next Tuesday will be crucial for Atletico’s hopes of reaching the final. In the process, he has also left a significant mark in the record books. His goal against Arsenal made Julian Alvarez the fastest Argentine player to reach 25 Champions League goals, achieving the milestone in 41 games. Lionel Messi had previously held that mark, having taken 42 matches to reach the same tally during his time at Barcelona. Messi remains far ahead at the summit of the all-time Champions League scoring chart for Argentine players, with an extraordinary 129 goals in 163 appearances. Di Stefano sits second with 49 and Sergio Agüero third with 41, but Alvarez has now climbed into a share of fourth place with 25 goals, level with Hernan Crespo, who needed 65 games, and Lautaro Martinez, who took 66 appearances to reach the same mark, a testament not only to Alvarez’s elite form but to his growing legacy in Argentine soccer history.

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Why isn’t Bukayo Saka playing? Confirmed lineups for Atletico Madrid vs Arsenal in UCL semifinals

worldsoccertalk.com · 3 months ago

With Arsenal clashing against Atletico Madrid for the 25-26 UEFA Champions League semifinals, Bukayo Saka will be one of the big names in question for the game. Arsenal travel to Madrid on Wednesday for the first leg of their 2025-26 UEFA Champions League semifinal against Atletico at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano. With a place in the final on the line, the availability of Bukayo Saka has been one of the most pressing questions heading into the match. Coach Mikel Arteta confirmed that Saka will travel with the squad, though he didn’t include the English winger in the starting lineup against Atletico. Saka made his return from an Achilles injury last Sunday against Newcastle United, playing the final 10 minutes, being far from reaching top fitness against the Spanish side. Beyond Saka, Arteta was also asked at Tuesday’s press conference about Kai Havertz and Eberechi Eze, both of whom were forced off during the Newcastle match. “Kai is out and Ebs is ready to go,” Arteta said, before elaborating on the German’s situation. “He had a little niggle. I don’t know how serious it is. It didn’t look too big. The action, the way he describes it, is not too sharp. But we have to wait and see.” Alongside Havertz, Jurrien Timber remains another significant absentee for the Gunners, still not fully fit following his most recent groin injury. Saka, however, did participate in training at London Colney, and will be eager to make an impact after missing the entire quarterfinal series against Sporting CP. Bukayo Saka of Arsenal smiles during a training session. Arsenal face a formidable challenge in Spain Having reached the Champions League semifinal in back-to-back seasons, Arsenal now arrive in Spain at a moment when their form has dipped, and they face an Atletico Madrid side fresh off eliminating FC Barcelona, one of the competition’s most fancied contenders. While the two clubs met in the league phase earlier this season with Arsenal running out 4-0 winners, both teams have evolved considerably since that meeting. Asked what he expects from the game, Arteta was generous in his praise of Diego Simeone’s legacy. “They are very strong at both ends, otherwise they would not be here. The energy they create in the stadium, how they believe in it. We have prepared the game to win it. I think a lot of the work he’s carried out, he has transformed the club in 15 years. The way he has done it, I have always had admiration for these kind of people. He is very connected to the club. He is an absolute role model,” the Arsenal coach said. Confirmed lineups for Atletico Madrid and Arsenal Atletico Madrid’s confirmed lineups (4-4-2): Jan Oblak; Marcos Llorente, Marc Pubill, David Hancko, Matteo Ruggeri; Giuliano Simeone, Koke, Johnny Cardoso, Ademola Lookman; Antoine Griezmann, Julian Alvarez.Head coach: Diego Simeone. Arsenal’s confirmed lineups (4-3-3): David Raya; Ben White, Gabriel, William Saliba, Piero Hincapie; Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard, Martin Zubimendi; Noni Madueke, Viktor Gyokeres, Gabriel Martinelli.Head coach: Mikel Arteta.

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