Bayer Leverkusen’s Alejandro Grimaldo nominated for Spain

Four newcomers before debut

“A few years ago I would probably have been very angry, but as I get older that’s no longer the case. On the contrary, it motivates me even more,” said Alejandro Grimaldo when national coach Luis de la Fuente did not call him up for Spain’s international matches in October. When the “Selección” plays in Cyprus (16th, 7 p.m.) and against Georgia (19th, 8:45 p.m.) in November, the 28-year-old left-back from Bayer 04 Leverkusen could finally make his debut.

De la Fuente called Grimaldo into his squad for the first time after another outstanding month with the “Werkself”. The Leverkusen summer signing has to hold his own on the Spaniards’ left defense in the European Championship qualifiers – it is already certain that the country will be in Germany in 2024 – against José Gayà (28) from FC Valencia, who is returning to the squad. Alejandro Balde (20), Alfonso Pedraza (27) and Fran García (24) are not there compared to October, as are Kepa Arrizabalaga (29), Bryan Zaragoza (22) and Ansu Fati (21).

For this, de la Fuente called up Iñigo Martínez (32), Lamine Yamal (16) and, like Grimaldo, Aleix García (26), Rodrigo Riquelme (23) and Álex Remiro (28) for the first time. The Real Sociedad goalkeeper, like the Leverkusen player, is no longer included in the list of players who have the highest market value worldwide but have never been part of their national team. This also applies to the Brazilians João Pedro (22), Endrick (17) and Pepê (26) as well as the French Warren Zaïre-Emery (17) in the coming international break. The ranking is led by Bavaria’s Mathys Tel (18).

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