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Common logic would have told you that a rejuvenation of Fernando Llorente's club career would mean he'd be right back in contention for a spot in the Spanish National Team. It made sense — Fernando scores goals with Juventus, he'd get the chance to do the same once again with La Roja.
Well, turns out the first part happened. But the second will have to wait.
After scoring 18 goals in all competitions — 16 of which coming in 34 Serie A games — Llorente won't be heading to Brazil with his fellow countrymen. That's due to the fact that Spain manager Vincente Del Bosque didn't include El Rey León in the final 23-man roster that will be making its way to Brazil in a matter of days with the hopes of defending their 2010 World Cup triumph.
Spain's roster is as follows:
OFICIAL | ¡Estos son los 23 jugadores que nos representarán en el SUEÑO de conseguir nuestro segunda COPA DEL MUNDO! pic.twitter.com/2zP13LIZao
— Selección Española (@SeFutbol) May 31, 2014
Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Pepe Reina (Napoli), David de Gea (Manchester United).
Defenders: Juanfran Torres (Atletico Madrid), Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea), Jordi Alba (Barcelona), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Gerard Pique (Barcelona), Raul Albiol (Napoli), Javi Martinez (Bayern Munich).
Midfielders: Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), Xavi Hernandez (Barcelona), Koke (Atletico Madrid), David Silva (Manchester City), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Santi Cazorla (Arsenal), Juan Mata (Manchester United).
Forwards: Cesc Fabregas (Barcelona), Pedro Rodriguez (Barcelona), Diego Costa (Atletico Madrid), David Villa (Atletico Madrid), Fernando Torres (Chelsea).
Yeah, sad times, sad times. No room for Fernando. :(
Methinks the wrong striker named Fernando was chosen. Maybe I'm a little biased, but a couple Chelsea supporters would probably agree with me on this one.
Fernando Torres scored five goals in the EPL this season. Fernando Llorente scored five goals in the last month of the season.
— BWRAO (@JuventusNation) May 31, 2014
Well then.
You never know, though. Maybe Diego Costa's hamstring continues to be a problem and he won't be able to recover before the tournament gets underway, thus making Del Bosque reconsider his options. Or, he could just be funny and play Cesc Fabregas as a false nine again. Who knows. But with what we do know right now, Llorente isn't on his way to Brazil. Instead, those summer vacation plans won't need to be postponed.
At least he'll be rested this summer and come back ready to roll when preseason training starts in a few months. Maybe he can hang out with Carlos Tévez — another pretty talented Juventus striker who deserves to be at the World Cup, but won't be — and have a viewing party or something like that. We know they'll have some extra free time on their hands this summer...
