Real Madrid young star returns to Spain team

Thanks to his impressive form with Real, Marco Asensio was called up to the national team for the World Cup qualifier against Macedonia.

Asensio was first called up to the national team in May last year, in a friendly against Bosnia-Herzegovina ahead of Euro 2016. Since then, the 21-year-old Real midfielder has been overlooked until the latest training session.

Asensio (left) has played in many important matches for Real Madrid this season. Photo: EFE.

The decisive factor that led to Asensio being called back to the national team by coach Julen Lopetegui was that he played 23 matches this season in La Liga, of which 11 were starts. The former Mallorca player is becoming an important factor in the squad that coach Zinedine Zidane is building at the Bernabeu.

Coach Lopetegui still gives opportunities to young faces. Besides Asensio, Spain's squad this time also includes Gerard Deulofeu (AC Milan), Alvaro Morata (Real) and goalkeeper Kepa (Bilbao).

Juan Mata and Cesc Fabregas continue to be absent from the squad. Ander Herrera, Man Utd's player of the season, is also absent.

Spain will play a friendly against Colombia on June 7 and face Macedonia in a World Cup qualifier four days later.

Real players including Morata, Asensio, Carvajal, Ramos, Nacho, Isco may miss the match against Colombia, because just a few days before Real met Juventus in the Champions League final.

Spain's squad list:

Goalkeeper:David de Gea (Manchester United), Kepa (Athletic Bilbao), Pepe Reina (Napoli)

Defender:Jordi Alba (Barcelona), Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea), Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid), Nacho (Real Madrid), Nacho Monreal (Arsenal), Gerard Pique (Barcelona), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Sergi Roberto (Barcelona)

Midfielder:Thiago Alcantara (Bayern Munich), Marco Asensio (Real Madrid), Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Asier Illarramendi (Real Sociedad), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Isco (Real Madrid), Koke (Atletico Madrid), Pedro (Chelsea), David Silva (Manchester City), Vitolo (Sevilla)

Forward: Iago Aspas (Celta Vigo), Diego Costa (Chelsea), Gerard Deulofeu (AC Milan, on loan from Everton), Alvaro Morata (Real Madrid).

According to VNE