Rebellious Claudia Pina Returns to Montse Tomé's Spain, Leaving Jenni Hermoso Behind

After the changes within Spain following the success of the last World Cup in Australia, with Jorge Vilda on the bench and in the current era of Montse Tomé in charge of La Roja, she had not received any call after being sidelined due to the '15 rebels' conflict. However, Claudia Pina, who was expected to be one of the internationals with the most potential, returns to the world champion's squad to heal another wound from the former coach.

The Asturian coach, who was missing some pieces in the attacking puzzle like Salma Paralluelo, Athenea del Castillo, or Inma Gabarro, finally opts for the Barcelona player - as she did previously with Patri Guijarro - to include her in the list for the two friendly matches against South Korea (29 November in Cartagena) and France (3 December in Nice), which will serve to face the serious challenge in 2025, the start of the Nations League qualifying phase, a tournament they will attempt to defend after winning against France in February. The European Championship in Switzerland next summer is already on the horizon.

The last time the talented Barcelona forward wore the national team's jersey was in July 2022, during the European Championship in England. Now, the coach rewards her great start to the season by calling her up for the last squad of 2024, which also sees the return of Aitana Bonmatí, the recent Ballon d'Or winner, who was rested in the previous list for the friendlies against Canada and Italy. "We have been dealing with an exceptional situation for two years, and when we started, we were very clear about how we wanted to be as a team. I have values, a way of being, and a way of playing, and we believe in that," said the Oviedo coach at a press conference.

The Asturian once again left out, in the midst of reconstruction after the disappointment of the Olympic Games, the Barcelona defender Irene Paredes, Real Madrid goalkeeper Misa Rodríguez, and Mexican Tigres midfielder Jenni Hermoso, which is the big surprise. The coach, aiming to provide the team with new pieces, calls up two debutants: Athletic Club midfielder Maite Zubieta and Levante Badalona forward Macarena Portales.

Tomé was asked if there was any off-field situation she didn't like. "I don't want to say if these players haven't met expectations. I am clear about how I want the team to be and what I like to see, that camaraderie, that presence, and I say it feeling it from the deepest part. Players who are not here must continue working to be included. We are on the path to defining the team that will go to the Euro." In this regard, she referenced the men's team: "It is a true example of team spirit and coexistence on and off the field. And with all that, they perform."

Goalkeepers: Cata Coll (FC Barcelona), Adriana Nanclares (Athletic Club), and Esther Sullastres (Sevilla FC).

-Defenders: Ona Batlle (FC Barcelona), Olga Carmona (Real Madrid), Laia Codina (Arsenal), Jana Fernández (FC Barcelona), Sheila García (Real Madrid), María Méndez (Real Madrid), Leila Ouahabi (Manchester City), and Berta Pujadas (Valencia CF).

-Midfielders: Aitana Bonmatí (FC Barcelona), Tere Abelleira (Real Madrid), Patri Guijarro (FC Barcelona), Vicky López (FC Barcelona), Alexia Putellas (FC Barcelona), and Maite Zubieta (Athletic Club).

-Forwards: Mariona Caldentey (Arsenal), Lucía García (Rayadas de Monterrey), Cristina Martín-Prieto (Benfica), Claudia Pina (FC Barcelona), Macarena Portales (Levante Badalona), Alba Redondo (Real Madrid), and Amaiur Sarriegi (Real Sociedad).

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