Luis de la Fuente has made a decision that excites in Barcelona. The Spanish national team will be more blaugrana than ever for the upcoming Nations League.
The coach has personally called Íñigo Martínez to know his availability after his last two absences.
Íñigo Martínez does want to play with Spain
Barça's center-back has said yes. De la Fuente is clear: Íñigo is the best Spanish center-back at the moment. He is of the opinion that "La Roja needs him."
But he is not the only notable return. Eric García will also join Íñigo, having had an outstanding end of the season with Flick. Both strengthen a defense that could be clearly dominated by Barça.
Pau Cubarsí will also be there, the young prodigy who has been the revelation of the season and is already untouchable for the coach.
The final list may include up to 9 players linked with Barça. It could be 10 if Ferran recovers from his appendicitis surgery.
A historic figure that returns La Roja to its culé essence. Besides Íñigo, Cubarsí, and Eric, Alejandro Balde, Pedri, Fermín López, Dani Olmo, and Lamine Yamal will also be there.
Barça DNA returns to the national team
In Camp Nou offices, this commitment to youth and talent formed at La Masia or developed in the blaugrana house is highly valued. De la Fuente's trust in Barça's youth academy, at a time of football regeneration, is a clear sign of where the future of Spanish soccer is heading.
La Roja wants to captivate again, and it will do so with Barça DNA as a pillar. A recognizable, offensive, associative style led by young players who have already proven to be up to the great stages.
Luis de la Fuente has been clear: he wants to recover the best version of Spain, and he knows that in Barcelona he has the perfect ingredients to cook a new cycle of glory. The path to the Nations League goes through Montjuïc.
With Íñigo Martínez, something that won't be liked in Madrid after seeing him in the treble celebration waving an estelada flag.
De la Fuente is satisfied with the player's opinion, regardless of what the media gurus in the capital, accustomed to influencing the coach's calls, think.
They wanted to see a sign of detachment from the center-back toward the Spanish national team that is not there.