One of the best goalkeepers in the history of Madrid's "Real" club, 35-year-old Iker Casillas, has not been called up to the Spanish national team for the first time since 2000.
The veteran, who has been wearing the colors of "Porto" for the second consecutive season, was not included in the list of candidates for the 2018 World Cup qualifying matches by the new Spanish national team coach Julen Lopetegui.
The five-time best goalkeeper on the planet had to settle for a substitute role in the 2016 European Championship. Casillas himself mentioned after EURO 2016 that it was likely his last championship with the national team, but it was not officially announced as the end of his career.
Lopetegui explained the situation as follows: "I talked to Iker and was honest with him. He is an icon, but we all made the decision that from now on our national team's goalkeeper is David De Gea. This does not mean that the door is already closed for Iker. We carefully monitor the results of every player."
In the national team, De Gea will face competition from Pepe Reina and "West Ham" goalkeeper Adrian, who has been called up to the national team for the first time, although in the European Championship the third goalkeeper was Sergio Rico from "Sevilla".
Also, for the first time, Sergi Roberto ("Barcelona") and Saul ("Atletico") have been called up to the Spanish national team. Players such as Diego Costa, Javi Martinez, Paco Alcacer, and Juan Mata have been left out of the squad after the European Championship. Marco Asensio, one of the most promising talents of Madrid's "Real," has also been included in the list.
For the first time in a long time, Cesc Fabregas will not be in the team. Lopetegui made this decision because C. Fabregas did not have enough playing time at London's "Chelsea" club.
The 2010 World Cup champions will face Belgium and Liechtenstein during this national team break.
List of candidates:
OFICIAL | Primera convocatoria de @julenlopetegui para los compromisos ante Bélgica y Liechtenstein #SEFlive pic.twitter.com/GFJqKYSEKu
— Selección Española (@SeFutbol) August 26, 2016
