Spain national team defender Robin Le Normand has been called up to the squad as a replacement for FC Barcelona center-back Eric García, who withdrew from the international camp due to left knee discomfort, according to official federation announcements. García sustained the injury during the pre-match warm-up ahead of Spain’s fixture against England at Wembley Stadium, forcing head coach Luis de la Fuente into a last-minute tactical adjustment.
Last-Minute Warm-Up Injury Forces Squad Change
Eric García was originally slated to start at right-back for Spain’s UEFA Nations League opener against England at Wembley Stadium. During the pre-match warm-up, however, the defender experienced discomfort in his left knee, prompting coaching staff to immediately withdraw him from the starting eleven in favor of Marc Pubill. Following the match, medical personnel evaluated García through a series of examinations. Team doctors ultimately decided to release the player from the ongoing international window to mitigate any physical risk and safeguard his long-term health.
Luis de la Fuente Weighs Roster Depth Amid Defensive Scarcity
Head coach Luis de la Fuente addressed the roster disruption after Spain secured a victory against England at Wembley. Speaking to reporters upon the team’s arrival in Madrid, the manager noted that the defender experienced a minor issue during warm-ups that did not appear overly serious. However, with a packed fixture schedule ahead, uncertainty remained regarding whether the player could safely compete in upcoming matches. This injury compounds existing roster complications at right-back for La Roja, following the international retirement of Marcos Llorente and an injury to Pedro Porro that kept him out of the current camp despite a prior call-up. Consequently, the coaching staff relies on Marc Pubill and Iván Fresneda for that position.
Robin Le Normand Returns to the National Team Setup
To replace García, the coaching staff turned to Atlético de Madrid central defender Robin Le Normand. The French-born defender earned his Spanish nationality and made his international debut under Luis de la Fuente during the 2022–23 UEFA Nations League finals, later serving as a regular starter during Spain’s victorious UEFA Euro 2024 campaign. Le Normand has earned 27 international caps and scored one goal for La Roja, but he had not featured for the squad since an October 2025 qualifying window against Georgia and Bulgaria due to a subsequent knee injury that sidelined him during November fixtures. He was also notably absent from the final squad for the FIFA World Cup hosted in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, where De la Fuente favored Pau Cubarsí and Aymeric Laporte in central defense.
Upcoming UEFA Nations League Schedule
With Le Normand integrated into the roster, Spain continues its demanding UEFA Nations League group stage campaign. La Roja faces Croatia on Tuesday in Seville, travels to Split for a return fixture against the same opponent the following Tuesday, and concludes the current international window with a match against the Czech Republic in Oviedo.
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