Spain coach Luis de la Fuente defended his decision to move on from "the club-centric mindset" after selecting no Real Madrid players in his final squad for the World Cup, insisting his squad is "perfect."
For the first time in World Cup history, there will be no Madrid player representing Spain, with defenders Dean Huijsen and Dani Carvajal missing out following a disappointing season with Los Blancos.
"For me, it's perfect," De la Fuente said of his final roster to Cadena Ser radio. "It's the 26 we wanted.
"The best players aren't just at Real Madrid, Barcelona or Atlético. There are very good players at other clubs. As we have a deep understanding of Spanish football, we pick the ones we believe best fit our system."
Madrid had seven Spaniards on their roster this season. Carvajal, 34, struggled with injuries and lost his starting place in Madrid's squad.
The veteran right-back was one of two Madrid players that made the cut at the 2022 World Cup and was also one of three Madrid players in Spain's Euro 2024 winning squad.
"Honestly, I don't attach any importance to that fact [no Madrid players in squad]," De la Fuente said.
"I want there to be plenty of Spanish players capable of meeting the standards required of a national team to compete in a World Cup.
"Whether that's at Real Madrid, Barça, Sevilla or wherever."
De La Fuente insisted that he based his decision on sporting merit.
"These 26 are the best in respect to something very important," he said. "We already know what the upcoming matches will demand of us. We understand the scenarios the matches might present, and these 26 players are up to the task of meeting all the requirements, starting with Cape Verde and so on.
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"I don't have to justify anything. They are 26 Spanish players."
De la Fuente included eight players from LaLiga champions Barcelona and seven players based in the Premier League.
"I don't really look at where a player comes from," De la Fuente said. "As far as I'm concerned, they aren't club players. Thank goodness I've moved beyond that club-centric mindset. I've got my own little heart, too.
"You know I support Athletic Club. But I'm all about the national team. Players who play for our team come here. I don't know where they're from or their background.
"They're capable and very good enough to play here. Full stop."
Spain, who exited the competition in the group stage in 2014 and suffered consecutive round-of-16 eliminations in 2018 and 2022, open their World Cup campaign against Cape Verde on June 15. They also face Saudi Arabia and Uruguay in Group H.
