Spain boss Julen Lopetegui has revealed that he "felt it was best" to omit Iker Casillas from his first national team selection as he prepares to take the former European champions into a new era.
Lopetegui, who replaced Vicente del Bosque as Spain coach after Euro 2016, left 167-time international Casillas out of his squad for the matches against Belgium and Liechtenstein next month.
David de Gea, Pepe Reina and Adrien are the three goalkeepers that have been selected, and the new manager has claimed that it was the right time to take the Porto stopper out of the picture.
"[Casillas] is a special player and a national reference, but our starting goalkeeper is De Gea and I decided that he wouldn't be with us at this time," Lopetegui told reporters.
"I understand the fuss it's caused, but I had a frank conversation with him because I understood that I had to. I was talking to a player who is also a friend of mine. Iker can still [return to the Spain squad], but I just felt it was best to make another decision for my first squad.
"I want to have a broad view of the players to see what they can all give us. I want to have different options. The only interest is the good of Spanish football and the national team."
Chelsea's Cesc Fabregas was also left out, but there were recalls for club teammate Diego Costa and Manchester United's Juan Mata.
Matt Law
