Spain’s head coach Luis de la Fuente has sparked major debate after deciding not to include Alejandro Balde in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers squad. Many fans and analysts believe this decision is questionable, as Balde has proven himself to be one of the brightest young left-backs in Europe. His pace, composure on the ball, and defensive intelligence make him stand out, yet he has been overlooked once again. To many, this feels like a huge oversight in a crucial stage of Spain’s preparation.
The exclusion becomes even more puzzling when compared to some of the names that did make the squad. For example, Dani Carvajal, who has just returned from injury and is still working to regain full fitness, has been called up. While Carvajal’s quality and experience are undeniable, it raises eyebrows that a player lacking recent match rhythm is preferred over Balde, who has been performing consistently for Barcelona at the highest level.
It is not just Balde’s omission that raises questions. Eric García, another young defender showing signs of maturity and reliability, was also left out of the team. Meanwhile, players like Normand, Vivian, and Huijsen have been selected, even though many supporters argue that Iñigo Martínez, with his wealth of experience and proven consistency, is clearly a stronger option. For fans, it feels like de la Fuente is prioritizing personal preferences or sticking to a rigid system rather than selecting the best players available on merit.
Ultimately, these decisions have left many Spanish supporters frustrated and confused. Spain is entering a critical phase in their World Cup journey, and leaving out in-form players like Balde could come back to haunt them. The squad certainly has depth, but questionable call-ups risk weakening the team’s balance and quality. For now, fans will just have to hope de la Fuente’s gamble pays off — but the pressure is on to justify these controversial choices.
