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On Friday, the coach of the Spanish national team, Luis Aragonesas, officially announced the preliminary list of 33 players who will compete for a spot on the team that will play in the World Cup this year.
These players are expected to gather for the first time on April 10th. It is planned that the players will spend the day together and discuss team matters.
The list includes five new names. Vigo "Celta" Borja Oubina, "Zaragoza" Cani, and "Getafe" Jaime Gavilanas caught the attention of the national team coach with their excellent performance in the Spanish championship. In addition to these midfielders, two defenders are also included in the preliminary list: "Betis" representative Melli and "Villarreal" defensive pillar Javi Venta.
After a break, "Valencia" goalkeeper Santiago Canizares received a call-up again. The 36-year-old veteran who has defended the Spanish national team goal 44 times, but has not represented it since 2004. Recently, he was pushed out of the second goalkeeper position in the Spanish national team by "Liverpool" goalkeeper Pepe Reina.
The list does not include a place for "Barcelona" goalkeeper Victor Valdes or defender Oleguer, while "Real" defenders Ivan Helguera and Guti did not receive invitations.
Preliminary list of 33 players:
Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Pepe Reina (Liverpool), Santiago Canizares (Valencia);
Defenders: Antonio Lopez (Atletico), Pablo Ibanez (Atletico), Carles Puyol (Barcelona), Juanito (Betis), Melli (Betis), Asier del Horno (Chelsea), Joan Capdevila (Deportivo), Michel Salgado (Real), Sergio Ramos (Real), Carlos Marchena (Valencia), Javi Venta (Villarreal);
Midfielders: Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal), Jose Antonio Reyes (Arsenal), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Xavi (Barcelona), Joaquin (Betis), Borja Oubina (Celta), Ivan de la Pena (Espanyol), Jaime Gavilan (Getafe), Luis Garcia (Liverpool), Xabi Alonso (Liverpool), David Albelda (Valencia), Ruben Baraja (Valencia), Vicente (Valencia), Marcos Senna (Villarreal), Cani (Zaragoza);
Forwards: Fernando Torres (Atletico), Fernando Morientes (Liverpool), Raul (Real), David Villa (Valencia).
