Following injuries to Dani Olmo and Marco Asensio, Luis de la Fuente called Ferran Torres back into the national team fold, selecting the FC Barcelona forward to reinforce Spain for the upcoming clash with Georgia. Torres had not featured for Spain for a considerable stretch, yet he returned despite a strong start to the season with Barça. This recall marks a notable reintroduction to international duty after a period away under the present management, prompting discussion about his role and his potential impact on Spain’s attacking options in this window.
Yeremi Pino of Villarreal was another inclusion by the coach for the Nations League window, forming a dynamic duo that will travel from Valencia to Madrid together. The pairing of Torres and Pino signals De la Fuente’s plan to blend experience with youthful energy, aiming to inject pace and versatility into the frontline while preserving the broader tactical balance for the Euro 2024 qualifying run. Torres has repeatedly delivered for Spain, and his comeback is framed as a strategic reinvestment in attacking depth as the campaign progresses.
Torres has been training in Valencia ahead of joining the squad, with rapid plans to travel to Barcelona before heading to Las Rozas Football City for the team’s camp preparation. The momentum he carries stems from a productive start at Barça, where he showed a knack for finding the net and contributing in limited minutes—scoring twice in 63 minutes across three appearances. This form, together with his prior international experience, supports his inclusion as Spain seeks to sharpen its offensive edge in the remaining qualifiers. 【Citation: Spanish Football Federation】
Across his Spain tenure, Ferran Torres has appeared in 35 matches and scored 15 goals, a tally earned across Nations League fixtures, World Cup qualifiers, the World Cup finals, the European Championship, and friendlies. The eight to nine-month pause since his last cap adds a sense of renewal and opportunity for both player and team as Euro 2024 qualification approaches. De la Fuente’s objective is to maximize attacking options while keeping balance in midfield and defense, a difficult balance that becomes especially delicate amid back-to-back competitive fixtures.
In practical terms, the coach faces the task of trimming the 24-player pool down to a 23-man squad ahead of Tuesday’s match against Cyprus, with kickoff scheduled for 20:45. Spain currently has more players available than needed for this period, and the selection will require careful cuts to meet the official squad size. The omission of Abel Ruiz from the Cyprus plans is noted, highlighting the ongoing competition for forward spots and the way De la Fuente manages minutes and squad balance across a demanding qualifying schedule. This dynamic underscores the importance of depth and adaptability as Spain scenarios shift with every camp and match. 【Citation: Spanish Football Federation】