Spain snubs Morata for World Cup squad

MADRID (AP):

!lvaro Morata was left out of Spain's 23-player squad for the FIFA World Cup yesterday.

Spain coach Julen Lopetegui decided to pick only three strikers for the tournament in Russia: Diego Costa, Iago Aspas and Rodrigo.

"It's always a difficult decision," Lopetegui said. "There wasn't anything negative about [Morata]. But we thought there were other players in the position who could help us."

Morata, who struggled with Chelsea this year, had not been included in the squad for Spain's most recent friendlies, but Lopetegui had said the player still had chances of making it to the World Cup.

Also left out was forward Victor 'Vitolo' Machin of AtlEtico Madrid. Vitolo had four goals in World Cup qualifying, while Morata had five and was among the team's top scorers along with Costa, Francisco 'Isco' AlarcUn and David Silva.

"Best of luck in the World Cup," Morata wrote on Twitter. "I'll be supporting and cheering through the end, as always."

Instead of picking a fourth striker, Lopetegui opted to take eight defenders, including 'Nacho' Monreal, the only other surprise on the list. Marcos Alonso and Marc Bartra were among the defenders left out.

"We are sorry that we couldn't include some of the players who were decisive in qualifying," Lopetegui said. "Of course, other players deserved to be on the list, like Morata, Bartra, (Asier) Illarramendi and others. There is a long list of players who have helped us but will not go to the World Cup."

Nearly 30 players who were called up by Lopetegui since the coach took over in 2016 have been left out of the final list.

The team's World Cup opener will be against European champions Portugal on June 15 in Sochi. Morocco and Iran are also in Group B.

Spain's 23-man World Cup squad:

Goalkeepers: David De Gea (Manchester United), Pepe Reina (Napoli), Kepa Arrizabalaga (Athletic Bilbao)

Defenders: Jordi Alba (Barcelona), CEsar Azpilicueta (Chelsea), Nacho Monreal (Arsenal), Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid), Nacho Fernandez (Real Madrid), Gerard PiquE (Barcelona), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), !lvaro Odriozola (Real Sociedad)

Midfielders: Thiago Alc*ntara (Bayern Munich), Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Jorge 'Koke' Resurreccion (AtlEtico Madrid), Sa?l --Iguez (AtlEtico Madrid), Marco Asensio (Real Madrid), David Silva (Manchester City), Lucas Vazquez (Real Madrid), Francisco 'Isco' AlarcUn (Real Madrid)

Forwards: Iago Aspas (Celta Vigo), Rodrigo (Valencia), Diego Costa (AtlEtico Madrid)