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Listen to the article3 min, read by a synthetic voice

In brief

  • The Paris Saint-Germain forward was withdrawn on October 2 after persistent left ankle discomfort kept him out of training and match action.

  • The 21-year-old Real Madrid striker joined the senior squad after scoring five goals and registering two assists in Spain Under-21s' 13-0 victory against San Marino on October 1.

  • Torres joins Pedro Porro, Eric García, Alejandro Grimaldo, and Nico Williams as the fifth player forced out of Luis de la Fuente's initial roster.

  • Spain hosts the Czech Republic in Oviedo on October 3 before travelling to face Croatia in Split on October 6.

OviedoMadrid
Oviedo, Split, Madrid, Paris · Spain, Croatia, France
How it came to this
  1. 2 OctFerran Torres withdraws due to ankle issue and Carlos Espí receives senior call-up
  2. 3 OctSpain hosts Czech Republic in Oviedo
  3. 6 OctSpain travels to face Croatia in Split

Torres released following persistent ankle pain

Paris Saint-Germain forward Ferran Torres has left the Spanish national team camp after failing to overcome persistent discomfort in his left ankle. The Royal Spanish Football Federation confirmed the withdrawal on Friday, October 2, following medical consultations held in close coordination with staff from the French club. Torres had started the opening 2026-2027 Nations League match against England at Wembley but did not feature in the subsequent fixture against Croatia in Seville. Federation medical staff explained that while the forward had trained throughout the week, ongoing discomfort prevented full participation. The federation explained the decision to release the forward in an official statement.

“Due to the persistence of the symptoms, the decision was made to withdraw him from the squad to prioritise his recovery.”

Royal Spanish Football Federation

Rapid promotion for Carlos Espí

Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente called up 21-year-old Real Madrid striker Carlos Espí to replace Torres for the remaining two fixtures of this international window. The promotion came one day after the forward from Tavernes de la Valldigna delivered five goals and two assists in Spain Under-21s' 13-0 European Championship qualifying win over San Marino on Thursday. That performance marked Espí's first start for the Under-21 side and set a new scoring mark for the youth category. Espí joined Real Madrid from Levante during the summer transfer window and has already registered two match-winning goals in domestic competition against Espanyol and Elche.

Growing list of physical setbacks for Spain

Torres represents the fifth player to withdraw due to physical issues from the initial squad announced by De la Fuente on September 18. Defender Pedro Porro was unable to join the camp before training began, prompting the selection of Iván Fresneda as his direct replacement. Eric García then suffered a left knee injury during the pre-match warmup against England and made way for Robin Le Normand. Full-back Alejandro Grimaldo also sustained a muscular issue during the pre-match warmup before the Croatia game in Seville, leading to a call-up for Real Betis defender Fran García. Winger Nico Williams subsequently left the squad on Thursday after suffering a left thigh muscular problem against Croatia, though De la Fuente chose not to replace him.

Schedule in the Nations League

Spain now prepares for the next phase of its four-match Nations League schedule, with Espí available to make his senior international debut. The team hosts the Czech Republic in Oviedo on Saturday, October 3, before travelling to Split to face Croatia on Tuesday, October 6. The call-up brings the number of Real Madrid players in the current Spain squad to three, contrasting with the previous World Cup roster that featured none. De la Fuente and his technical staff will look to secure points in these two fixtures while managing an altered squad roster impacted by multiple training and warmup injuries.

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Sources and context

  • Reuterson 2 Oct at 16:21Torres withdrawn from Spain squad due to injury, Espi called up
  • europa presson 2 Oct at 16:00Ferran Torres causa baixa en la selecció i li substituïx Carlos Espí
  • RTVE.eson 2 Oct at 15:17Carlos Espí, promocionado a la selección absoluta por la baja de Ferrán Torres por molestias
  • SAPOon 2 Oct at 15:14Mais uma baixa espanhola: herói do Mundial dispensado e talismã de Mourinho chamado
Ferran Torres
Paris Saint-Germain and Spain forward who withdrew from the national squad due to an ankle injury
Carlos Espí
Real Madrid and Spain forward promoted to the senior team following a five-goal Under-21 performance
Luis de la Fuente
Head coach of the Spain national football team
Pedro Porro
Spain defender who withdrew from the initial squad prior to the international camp
Eric García
Spain defender who suffered a knee injury during the warmup at Wembley
Alejandro Grimaldo
Spain defender ruled out due to a muscular problem in the warmup against Croatia
Nico Williams
Spain forward withdrawn following a thigh muscular injury against Croatia
Iván Fresneda
Spain defender called up to replace Pedro Porro
Robin Le Normand
Spain defender called up to replace Eric García
Fran García
Real Betis defender called up to replace Alejandro Grimaldo

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Published on 2 Oct at 18:32.

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Text generated by AI from the reports of the publishers listed and checked automatically, with no human editor. How Pollar is made

In this text

Torres released following persistent ankle painTorres released following persistent ankle painRapid promotion for Carlos EspíRapid promotion for Carlos EspíGrowing list of physical setbacks for SpainGrowing list of physical setbacks for SpainSchedule in the Nations LeagueSchedule in the Nations League

Based on reports by

Reuters, europa press, RTVE.es, SAPO, ABC TU DIARIO EN ESPAÑOL

List of sources

Football · Oviedo, Split, and Madrid

Ferran Torres withdraws from Spain squad as Carlos Espí earns first senior call-up

Real Madrid forward Carlos Espí has joined Spain's squad for Nations League fixtures against the Czech Republic and Croatia following an ankle injury to Ferran Torres.

Oviedo
Madrid

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AI text based on reports by Reuters, europa press, RTVE.es and other publishers. Published on 2 Oct at 18:32.

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