FIFA World Cup: Injured Gaya out of Spain squad; Balde announced as replacement

Spain’s Jose Gaya has been ruled out of the World Cup with an injury, The Royal Spanish Football Federation confirmed on Friday.

File Photo: Spain’s Jose Gaya. | Photo Credit: REUTERS/Pablo Morano

Spain left-back Jose Gaya has been ruled out of the World Cup with an injury, The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) confirmed on Friday.

Barcelona’s Alejandro Balde will be Gaya’s replacement in the squad for the 2010 world champions, with the 19-year-old earning his first senior call-up. 

🚨 OFICIAL | @jose_gaya abandona la concentración de la @SEFutbol para el Mundial de Catar.

El lateral se va de Doha con el cariño, el respeto y reconocimiento de sus compañeros y de toda la RFEF.

ℹ️ https://t.co/L0o9EPwnMs#VamosEspaña | #Catar2022pic.twitter.com/pYjJGhfNms

— Selección Española de Fútbol (@SEFutbol) November 18, 2022

Gaya was subjected to an MRI after the injury, and the report said that the player had suffered a low-grade lateral sprain in his right ankle. He will return to Spain in the next few hours.

Gaya got injured in a training session ahead of Spain’s warmup match against Jordan. After analysing the situation and consultation with the medical team, head coach Luis Enrique made the decision to replace the Valencia full-back.

Post Spain’s 3-1 win against Jordan, Luis Enrique said that Gaya’s injury was the worst news since the beginning of the Spanish World Cup camp.