Sergio Ramos and Thiago Alcantara have both been left out of Spain's World Cup 2022 squad, Luis Enrique opting for other players in his 26-man team for the finals in Qatar.
Ramos was somewhat controversially snubbed a chance of playing at Euro 2020, ending a run of featuring in ten consecutive tournaments - his first major tournament coming at Euro 2004. The PSG defender was widely expected to lead Spain 18 months ago, shocking fans when he was left out of the team.
However, he has suffered the same fate again, with Enrique choosing Aymeric Laporte, Eric Garcia, Pau Torres and young Valencia defender Hugo Guillamon as his four options to play centre-back in Qatar.
Ramos is currently the sixth-most capped international player ever, with 180 appearances for Spain. However, it seems Luis Enrique, rather than Ramos himself, has decided he is surplus to requirements for the national side.
Meanwhile, Thiago Alcantara last made the Spain squad for their UEFA Nations League fixtures in June. However, injury meant he had to withdraw from the squad, and Enrique didn't select him for the September internationals either. That was because he was struggling with a hamstring injury at the start of the season, but he has been back playing regularly in Liverpool's team for the past month in the Premier League.
Regardless, the 31-year-old has also not been deemed necessary for Spain's midfield, with Koke, Gavi, Pedri, Rodrigo, Sergio Busquets and Marcos Llorente all preferred over the Liverpool man.
Thiago has currently played 46 times for the national side in his career, scoring twice. He played a consistent role from the bench for Spain at Euro 2020, but he hasn't appeared for them since, perhaps giving reason as to why Enrique has snubbed his selection.
Chelsea's Kepa Arrizabalaga has also missed out, despite consistently starting since Graham Potter took over as manager. The 28-year-old has been replaced in the squad by Unai Simon, Robert Sanchez of Brighton and David Raya of Brentford.
