Madrid: New Spain coach Julen Lopetegui has dropped longtime captain Iker Casillas from the squad for the start of 2018 World Cup qualifying.
Casillas has played a team-record 167 matches for Spain, although he didn’t play a minute of the European Championship because he was David de Gea’s backup.
Lopetegui says Casillas could return, however.
The manager also left veterans Cesc Fabregas, Pedro Rodriguez, and Juanfran Torres off his first list.
Chelsea striker Diego Costa returns after former coach Vicente del Bosque dropped him for Euro 2016.
Lopetegui also called up youngsters Marco Asensio, Sergi Roberto, and Saul Niguez, as well as West Ham goalkeeper Adrian San Miguel.
Spain plays Belgium in a friendly on September 1. Four days later, Spain hosts Liechtenstein in its first World Cup qualifier.
