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Sergio Ramos 'unhappy to have been overlooked for Spain squad'

Sergio Ramos 'unhappy to have been overlooked for Spain squad'
© Reuters
Paris Saint-Germain centre-back Sergio Ramos was reportedly hugely disappointed not to be called into the latest Spain squad.

Sergio Ramos has reportedly been left 'discouraged' by Luis Enrique's decision to leave him out of the Spain squad for the national team's upcoming UEFA Nations League matches.

La Roja will face Switzerland on September 24 before tackling Portugal three days later, with the matches proving to be their final fixtures before the 2022 World Cup.

Ramos had a frustrating first season at Paris Saint-Germain due to injury problems, only representing the club on 13 occasions in all competitions.

The 36-year-old has been a vital player for the French champions this term, though, already making 11 appearances, with the centre-back appearing to have put his injury issues behind him.

Ramos was allegedly expecting to earn a call-up into Enrique's squad, and his omission has left the former Real Madrid captain extremely disappointed, according to Mundo Deportivo.

Sergio Ramos celebrates scoring for PSG on July 31, 2022© Reuters

The centre-back has made 180 appearances for Spain, putting him at the top of the all-time list ahead of Iker Casillas (167) and Sergio Busquets (137).

Active in the national side since 2005, Ramos has won two European Championships and a World Cup for La Roja, and Enrique said during his press conference last week that the door was "not closed" on the defender.

"The [door] is not closed to any Spanish player that is available for selection. I don't know the percentage of these players which will be at the World Cup. You want 80%? Well 80%... I don't know," Enrique told reporters.

"It is great news that Sergio Ramos can return to the pitch after a year-and-a-half out due to injuries. Now he is doing so in a continuous way. I can say to you what you want, but I think I have called the best players in his position. The rest, white smoke."

Ramos made 671 appearances for Real Madrid between 2005 and 2021 before leaving the La Liga giants on a free transfer, with PSG signing him on a two-year deal.

Sergio Ramos in PSG training on July 30, 2022© Reuters

The Spaniard's existing deal in Paris is due to expire next June, but the French club's football advisor Luis Campos recently said that his contract could be renewed.

"I am very happy with Sergio Ramos' level. I think he is not happy with the last season of it. I know Sergio very well, I met him at Real, he is going to have a very good season. He is making progress, he is still efficient. Renewal? Why not continue," Campos told RMC Sport.

Ansu Fati was also a notable omission from the La Roja squad, with Enrique claiming that the Barcelona attacker was not yet ready to be included, having not started a La Liga game this term.

"We called him in June simply to get into group dynamics and to listen to what we want in the national team, have contact and really see how he was on the field," he said.

Ansu Fati celebrates scoring for Barcelona on September 10, 2022© Reuters

"The truth is he was much better, now he has been participating but at his club he has only started one game and that tells me something.

"He continues to have a wonderful relationship with the goal, I hope he recovers his level and we see the best Ansu, but today I do not see him ready for the squad and that is why I have not brought him. Hopefully he improves for the World Cup roster. He's very young and we still have high expectations for him."

Spain will begin their World Cup campaign against Costa Rica on November 23 before taking on Germany and Japan in the group stage of the competition.

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Written by
Matt Law

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Spain head coach Luis Enrique pictured in training on November 13, 2021
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