Spain captain Sergio Ramos has been left out of the squad for Euro 2020, coach Luis Enrique said on Monday.
The Real Madrid centre-back won the last of his 180 caps in March but has endured an injury-plagued season that has limited him to just 15 La Liga appearances and only five games in all competitions in 2021.
Manchester City’s Aymeric Laporte was included after Fifa approved his switch from France to Spain earlier this month.
“I’ve not included Ramos because he’s not been able to play much this season,” Enrique, who named 24 players though 26 spots were available, told a news conference.
“It wasn’t easy, but I called him last night (Sunday) and we had a difficult and tough conversation. It’s a decision that I’ve taken for the good of the national team and the group as a whole.”
In a statement released on his Instagram page, Ramos said: “After a few tough months and an abnormal season to any I’ve had in my career, the Euro also joins that. I’ve fought and worked with my body and soul to be 100 per cent fit for Real Madrid and the national team but sometimes things don’t work out.
Ramos’s teammate Dani Carvajal also missed out through injury, meaning there are no Real players amongst the squad, while there are just three Barcelona players and two from La Liga champions Atletico Madrid.
