David de Gea is wrongly congratulated on his international retirement by Spain’s FA after squad snub
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The stunned David de Gea was congratulated on his retirement from Spain, despite not intending to retire following his World Cup resentment… with their FA chief texting that he was ‘happy’ for the United- star
Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea was stunned by a congratulatory message from the Spanish Football Federation on his retirement from international duty – despite having yet to hang up his gloves.
The 32-year-old was omitted from La Roja boss Luis Enrique’s final 26-man World Cup squad, taking Unai Simon, Robert Sanchez and David Raya in place of the former Spain number 1.
De Gea has been a mainstay in the Spain national team since his debut in 2014 under World Cup winning manager Vicente del Bosque, but has fallen out of favor under Enrique.
David de Gea has been wrongly congratulated on his international retirement by the Spanish Football Federation
Spanish FA head Luis Rubiales congratulated De Gea for making the ‘decision’
Journalist Jose Alvarez told the Spanish outlet El Chiringuito: ‘De Gea has been a bit of a strange subject.
Suddenly he disappeared from the calls a few months ago and Luis Enrique called David to tell him he wouldn’t count on him. He told him it was a technical decision. Of course David asked him what the reason was, but he received no further explanation.
The United keeper’s last appearance was in October 2020 against Ukraine
“A few days later, David receives a message from (Luis) Rubiales, President of the Federation, saying, “David, I’m glad you finally made the decision you were thinking about”. I’ve already heard you’re leaving the national team.”
To this, David replies: “Sorry? There is no relinquishment of anything, who told you that I am renouncing something? The coach told me that he will not count on me, but I have never relinquished the national team, and neither do I.” I intend to do so, at least if I am called upon.”
“He was a little surprised by the communication between Luis Enrique and Rubiales and the message that came in from Rubiales afterwards.
“Over the past year and a half, De Gea has been very good, he has been a key player for Manchester United in almost every game and he has been seen as part of the three in the national team.
“I’m not saying he has to be a starter, but he believed he could contribute regardless of experience. He was a bit surprised that Rubiales sent him the message that he was retiring from the national team or that he made the decision after thinking about it, let alone congratulations on making the decision.”
Spain lost 1–0 in the Nations League match and De Gea’s positioning in front of goal drew criticism
Since Enrique’s return to the dugout for Spain, De Gea has made just four appearances in goal
His last appearance between the sticks for his country came in October 2020 against Ukraine, and since Enrique’s return in 2019 he has slowly fallen out of favour.
The former Barcelona manager who won the treble has put his faith in Unai Simon of Athletic Bilbao, who was handed the number 1 shirt last summer for last summer’s postponed Euro 2020 competition.
He continued to be called up since then, but did not enter the field until he was completely dropped from the squad in November 2021.
Luis Enrique has not selected De Gea as part of his 26-man Spain squad for the World Cup in Qatar
