Real Madrid captain, Sergio Ramos, has been surprisingly left out of Spain’s squad ahead of next month’s Euro 2020 competition.

The development was revealed on Monday after manager, Luis Enrique, announced a 24-man group instead of 26, as permitted by UEFA because of the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Independent UK reported that Enrique did not name a single Real Madrid player in his squad as Manchester City centre-back Eric Garcia and Aymeric Laporte, were selected over the 35-year-old Ramos.

Garcia has made just 12 appearances for the Premier League champions across all competitions this season, while Laporte endured an injury-plagued campaign, the publication added.

Enrique hinted that Ramos’ exclusion from the EUROs squad was influenced by an injury that allegedly left him as an unused substitute in Real Madrid’s season-closing win against Villarreal on Saturday.

“Any decision I made about Sergio Ramos would have been controversial. I know where I am, and accept there will be noise from the media,” Enrique said.

“The Aymeric Laporte decision has nothing to do with the Ramos situation. [Ramos] is a top player, can help our national team a lot, plays at one of the best clubs in history.

“Please don’t mix Ramos not being in the squad with call-ups for others. I’d have liked him to be here, to have recovered.”

Speaking on excluding Madrid players, the first time any key player from the club would miss a major tournament for Spain, Enrique said: “It is possible as players like Dani Carvajal and Sergio Ramos [had] injuries during the season.

“Apart from that I cannot pick the squad based on whether some people will be happy or not.”

See Spain’s full Euro 2020 squad below:
Goalkeepers: David De Gea, Unai Simon, Robert Sanchez.

Defenders: Aymeric Laporte, Jordi Alba, Jose Gaya, Pau Torres, Eric Garcia, Diego Llorente, Cesar Azpilicueta, Marcos Llorente.

Midfielders: Sergio Busquets, Rodri, Pedri, Thiago, Koke, Fabian.

Forwards: Dani Olmo, Mikel Oyarzabal, Alvaro Morata, Gerard Moreno, Ferran Torres, Adama Traore, Pablo Sarabia.