Real Madrid defender Raul Asencio earned his first national team call-up after Spain manager Luis de la Fuente was included on Friday in the list for their two-leg Nations League quarter-final against the Netherlands. However, Barca midfielder Gavi, who helped Spain in their 2023 Nations League win, was missing from the squad.
The 22-year-old Asencio, a Real Madrid academy product, has made 14 La Liga and eight Champions League appearances this season.
Barcelona defender Inigo Martinez was included after being left out of Spain's Euro 2024 winning squad. However, his 20-year-old teammate Gavi, who was expected to return to the national team after a 14-month absence due to an ACL injury, failed to make the cit. De La Fuente said he regretted the absence of many talented players but added that this was the best possible squad he could select.
Marco Asensio, who has regained form since joining Aston Villa on loan from Paris St Germain in the mid-season transfer window, was also left out.
Spain face Ronald Koeman's Netherlands away on Thursday before returning home for the second-leg in Valencia on March 23.
**Spain Squad | Goalkeepers:** David Raya (Arsenal), Unai Simon (Athletic Bilbao), Alex Remiro (Real Sociedad). **Defenders**: Pedro Porro (Tottenham Hotspur), Oscar Mingueza (Celta Vigo), Robin Le Normand (Atletico Madrid), Pau Cubarsi (Barcelona), Inigo Martinez (Barcelona), Raul Asencio (Real Madrid), Alejandro Grimaldo (Bayer Leverkusen), Marc Cucurella (Chelsea). **Midfielders:** Martin Zubimendi (Real Sociedad), Marc Casado (Barcelona), Fabian Ruiz (Paris St-Germain), Mikel Merino (Arsenal), Alex Baena (Villarreal), Pedri (Barcelona). **Forwards:** Lamine Yamal (Barcelona), Nico Williams (Bilbao), Ferran Torres (Barcelona), Yeremy Pino (Villarreal), Dani Olmo (Barcelona), Ayoze Perez (Villarreal ), Alvaro Morata (Galatasaray), Bryan Zaragoza (Osasuna), Samuel Aghehowa (Porto), Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad).