Robert Moreno has already admitted that he is finding squad selections difficult due to the young talent emerging within the Spanish ranks, but it’s of note that La Roja have never gone to a major tournament with four players aged 34 years or older.
Now, this is of interest at this particular time due to the fact Moreno‘s team selection included Santi Cazorla, Jesus Navas, Sergio Ramos and Raul Albiol.
All four of these players could have been a set of players involved a decade ago for La Roja, yet in 2019 they are still playing an important role for the national team.
With just seven months to go before the start of Euro 2020, Spain have already booked their place in the tournament and would see all of the players mentioned above hit the age of 34 before the competition begins.
“It is of incalculable value to have these players,” Moreno admitted in the aftermath of the victory over Malta.
“They help the younger players and continue to delight us with their quality.
“That accumulated experience is not only transmitted to their teammates, but to everyone around them and that’s of vital importance in tournaments, they have experienced them before and know what it takes to win.”
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Spain have to look back as far as 1962 for the last time they even hit anywhere near this quota of players over the age of 34, with the World Cup in Chile seeing La Roja select Alfredo Di Stefano (35), Ferenc Puskas (35) and Jose Segarra (34).
Sergio Ramos (Debut in 2005)
Ramos is now the record appearance maker for the Spanish national team, and he will play his 170th match for the country on Monday. He is only one year away from making 15 with the national team.
Raul Albiol (Debut in 2007)
The Villarreal defender has played the last three matches for Moreno’s Spain team, and we have to go back to 2007 in Denmark when Luis Aragones handed him his debut. He was part of the teams which won three tournaments between 2008 and 2012.
Santi Cazorla (Debut in 2008)
The young winger was a surprise inclusion in Aragones’ Euro 2008 squad, and after returning from a two-year absence caused by horror injuries, the former Malaga star is reliving his youth at the present moment.
Jesus Navas (Debut in 2009)
Changing positions has done wonders for Navas’ longevity, especially after returning to Sevilla. He turns 34 after the meeting with Romania and after being given this second chance with La Roja, he is enjoying it as much as possible.
