Luis de la Fuente arrived amid debate that followed the Luis Enrique era, a period marked by an imbalance in players from different clubs. The new coach brought eight players from Barcelona into the World Cup squad—Eric Garcia, Jordi Alba, Alejandro Balde, Sergio Busquets, Pedri, Gavi, Ferran Torres, and Ansu Fati—while only two came from Real Madrid, Dani Carvajal and Marco Asensio. This distribution highlighted questions about national team selection and club representation during major tournaments. [Source: Football federation records]
Relating to
Gavimania in Madrid
Jordi Gil
Equal footing shows that representatives from Madrid and Barcelona shaped the 2022 World Cup roster. Koke, Marcos Llorente, and Alvaro Morata stood alongside Real Madrid peers, while a higher media focus hovered over the balance of players from various clubs. The ongoing dialogue around club influence and national team choices continued to draw attention. [Source: tournament rosters]
without madridist
Lucho did not name any Real Madrid players for the 2021 Euro Cup, which sparked significant discussion, including critiques of Sergio Ramos’s injury at the time. Jordi Alba, Busquets, and Pedri were fans favorite among supporters during the Euro campaign, aiding Spain toward the semi-finals. [Source: national team selections]
Luis Enrique then proceeded without Real Madrid players in the UEFA Nations League 2021 Final Four held in Milan. Three players joined from Barcelona—Busquets, Sergi Roberto in place of Brais, and most notably Gavi, whose 17-year-old selection drew national debate before his later performances silenced critics. [Source: team announcements]
Few remembered that in 2018, Luis Enrique had listed six Madrid players (Carvajal, Nacho, Ramos, Isco, Asencio, Lucas Vázquez) alongside four Barça players (Alba, Piqué, Busquets, Iniesta) for Russia, a reminder that club balance has long been a talking point. The Asturian coach has often faced scrutiny for his selections. [Source: historical rosters]
Source updates show a more balanced approach, with 19 players represented from different clubs in a 26-player roster. Madrid players Nacho, Carvajal and Ceballos plus Real Sociedad players Merino, Zubimendi, and Oyarzabal feature prominently, while Barcelona contributed three players though Pedri was injured, leaving Balde and Gavi in the mix. [Source: squad announcements]
balanced block
De la Fuente does not weigh selections strictly by club. He emphasized players from teams that face challenges such as Bryan Gil from Sevilla, Gayà from Valencia, or Joselu from Espanyol, highlighting that such players can perform effectively in crucial matches. [Source: coaching statements]
Casting players from diverse teams is not common, though history offers contrasts. For example, Julen Lopetegui once fielded six Madrid players (Carvajal, Nacho, Ramos, Isco, Asensio, Lucas Vázquez) and four from Barça (Alba, Piqué, Busquets, Iniesta) during the 2018 World Cup in Russia. The national selection has long tested the boundaries of club allegiance. [Source: historical rosters]
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Returned at the World Cup in Qatar 8 Barcelona players the same number as the 2010 team that won in South Africa under Vicente del Bosque. The balance of champions contributed to the national team showing depth across generations. Madrid also boasted several World Cup winners, while some players did not get minutes in the tournament. [Source: tournament records]
Madrid’s champions and Real Sociedad figures remained central to the squad discussions, illustrating the ongoing tension between club prestige and international selection. [Source: team analysis]