Barcelona forward Pedro has been rewarded for his two goals in the Copa del Rey final on Friday by being included in Spain’s 23-man squad for the European Championships.
Sevilla’s Alvaro Negredo was also selected among manager Vicente del Bosque’s strikers, meaning there was no place for Roberto Soldado or Adrian Lopez despite the latter’s goalscoring debut against Serbia on Saturday.
Atletico Madrid’s Juanfran is included thanks in part to an injury suffered by Andoni Iraola in the cup final and Cesc Fabregas also makes it despite being ruled out for just over a week with a hamstring strain.
Del Bosque spoke to Marca about his squad saying:
“All those that have been with us can feel a little hurt.
‘We have taken them and left them, but in August there are new squads. They need to be aware that they are very close to the national team.
‘The seven that have been left out are a little upset, but they are good sportsmen. It was unthinkable that someone would debut and then come with us.
“We always had Pedro in mind. He has had an irregular season like many others, but we valued his trajectory over the medium term and for this reason we have taken him. We need wide players that are efficient and can complement the bench.
“I didn’t have the Olympics in mind when it came to Adrian. Mata and Javi Martinez will be in the same position. We have preferred other options, but we recognise that he has been brilliant in these days with us. He has done everything very well.
“Negredo and Soldado are two extraordinary and distinct players. One is quicker but the other offers more to the play of the team.’
SPAIN SQUAD
Goalkeepers:
Casillas (Real Madrid), Valdes (Barcelona), Reina (Liverpool)
Defenders:
Alba (Valencia), Albiol, Arbeloa, Ramos (all Real Madrid), Juanfran (Atletico Madrid), Pique (Barcelona), Martinez (Athletic Bilbao)
Midfielders:
Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Busquets, Fabregas (all Barcelona), Alonso (Real Madrid), Silva (Manchester City), Cazorla (Villarreal), Navas (Sevilla), Mata (Chelsea)
Strikers:
Llorente (Athletic Bilbao), Torres (Chelsea), Negredo (Sevilla), Pedro (Barcelona)
