Real Madrid Forward Carlos Espi Receives Maiden Spain Call Up

Despite two crucial goals off the bench for Real Madrid, first against RCD Espanyol and then against Elche, Carlos Espi originally had to make do with a place in the Spain U21 squad for this extended international break. 

In their resounding 13-0 win over San Marino in Euro 2027 qualifying last night, Espi scored four goals and provided a further two assists in what was a big step towards securing their qualification for the tournament. 

Their final game in qualifying will take place at home to Romania on Tuesday evening, with the young side needing just a point to book their place in Serbia and Albania for the tournament next summer. 

However, Espi will not play a part in that game. Indeed not, as due to an injury to PSG forward Ferran Torres, the Real Madrid forward has been drafted in by Spain manager Luis de la Fuente, for his first ever call up to the senior side. 

With that and his performance against San Marino, it has certainly been a productive break for the 21-year old. He could make his debut as soon as tomorrow, where the World and European Champions will face Czechia in their third UEFA Nations League group game of this break, having beaten England and Croatia in their opening two games. 

That game will take place at 20:45 CEST, before their final game of this break, away to Croatia on Tuesday at the same time. He will be joining Los Blancos team mates Marc Cucurella and Dean Huijsen in the senior squad. He could also play against club legend, Luka Modric, in the clash with Croatia. That would be a very cool moment indeed. 

With Kylian Mbappe having pulled out of the France squad with an injury sustained whilst scoring the only goal of the game in their win away to Turkey, there have been a number of people in the fanbase that are calling for Espi to start in the first game back against Villarreal next Saturday. 

We know that Jose Mourinho does like a striker with a physical profile, having used the likes of Didier Drogba, Diego Milito and Harry Kane previously in his career, and you can tell he appreciates the type of striker Espi is, so it certainly does not feel impossible that he could start that game, especially if Mbappe is not 100% fit. But let's wait and see what happens. 

All the very best of luck to Espi on his first adventure with the Spain senior team.