Sergio Ramos and Gerard Pique are both set to be left out of Spain’s final squad for the upcoming World Cup.
Pique has not played for his country since they were knocked out in the last 16 of the 2018 FIFA World Cup by Russia, while Ramos has not done so since the start of last year.
Despite this, both veteran defenders were included in Luis Enrique’s 55-man squad ahead of the World Cup and some believe the manager could take at least one of them to add some experience to a relatively young squad.
Ramos in particular looked like he would have a good chance of going to Qatar with his country after performing well for PSG of late. However, according to Marcy, neither player is slated to make the final cut, with both being part of the unlucky 29 to be eliminated.
The Spanish publication reports that Enrique does not want either player to be the center of attention or challenge his authority, so he is prepared to leave both at home.
Instead, the centre-backs he will take to the World Cup will be Eric Garcia, Aymeric Laporte, Inigo Martinez and Pau Torres – with the first two most likely to start.
Ramos would be in contention for a call-up if either got injured, but Pique would most likely not show that he hasn’t played much for Barcelona this season and hasn’t impressed when he’s been on the pitch. Diego Llorente and Hugo Guillamon are probably above him in the pecking order.
