Premier League cult hero earns first Spain call-up in four years to revive World Cup dream - The Mirror

Spain have just announced their squad for the upcoming internationals and ex-West Ham star Pablo Fornals is back in, four years after his last cap, having impressed at Real Betis

Former West Ham star Pablo Fornals has earned himself a recall into the Spain squad after continuing to impress for Real Betis as he bids to add to his six caps.

Fornals hasn't played for his country since 2021, which was when he was still on the Hammers' books. He headed back to his homeland in 2024 and has since caught the eye of Luis de la Fuente whilst playing for Betis.

The 29-year-old fell down the pecking order after spending five years at the London Stadium but has looked back to his best at the Estadio Benito Villamarin, helping Betis make the final of the UEFA Conference League last season.

Fornals was a member of the team which won the U21 Euros in 2019, but unlike some of his team-mates, hasn't been able to forge much of an international career. De la Fuente could yet make use of him when the European champions play Georgia and Turkey later this month.

Lamine Yamal is, again, the headline name in the Spanish squad, which is without Nico Williams. The Athletic Bilbao winger has been nursing a groin issue and missed his side's clash with Newcastle this week. Forward Alvaro Morata is again left out, as he looks for game time at Como.

Arsenal duo Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Merino are both part of the squad. The latter has been in sensational goalscoring form on the international scene - he scored twice against Bulgaria in October and back in September he notched a hat-trick against Turkey.

Mikel Oyarzabal, who scored the winner against England in the final of Euro 2024, is among the forward options. Ex-Manchester City star Ferran Torres is included as is defender Aymeric Laporte, who returned to Bilbao this summer after a spell in Saudi Arabia.

Spain have won all four of their World Cup qualifying games thus far to sit top of their group. They'll be among the favourites to claim the trophy in North America next summer following their Euros triumph with De la Fuente leading an impressive group of young players.

2010 is the one and only time that the Spanish have enjoyed global glory. On that occasion they were littered with stars from Barcelona and Real Madrid. Their current squad has less headline names but Yamal is regarded among the world's best and was narrowly beaten to the Ballon d'Or.

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