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CDM- Casemiro
Casemiro is one of the best central defensive midfielders of his generation and has won several trophies at Real Madrid to prove the same. The 29-year-old ace joined the La Liga giants in 2015 from Porto and has not looked back since.
His story with the national team could be deemed to be similar. Although he did get Spanish citizenship in 2019, Casemiro has never considered shifting nationalities. The Brazil-born superstar always knew that his country lacked a box-to-box metronome in his role and he capitalized on the situation.
Since then, he has been one of the first names on the team sheet for the Selecao. Moreover, Spain have also had players like Javi Martinez, Sergio Busquets, Thiago Alcantara and Rodri as defensive midfielders.
Hence, while Casemiro is a genuine talent, Spain have had their own geniuses in that role for quite a while now.
CM- Sergej Milinkovic-Savic
Sergej Milinkovic-Savic has been one of the better players in Serie A this season. The midfielder has been at Lazio for over six years and has arguably been their best player during that period.
But he, too, opted against representing Spain despite being born in the country. However, it was a pretty straight-forward decision for him. He started playing professional football in Serbia and also did well at the youth level for the national team. Understandably, he joined the senior team when the opportunity presented itself.
Playing for Spain was on the cards but La Roja already had several talented players back then and continues to do so.
Although playing for Serbia is not the most glorious challenge, Milinkovic-Savic will have few doubts about his decision to play for the Eagles.
CM- Federico Valverde
The second Uruguayan international on the list, Fede Valverde is one of the most recent players to have decided against representing Spain. The midfielder obtained Spanish citizenship last year but has continued to represent his beloved South American-based country.
The youngster first came to prominence in his second season at Real Madrid as he started to garner more game-time in the starting XI. He helped Los Blancos win La Liga in 2020 and is doing the same this season.
His contributions with Uruguay are no less as his workhorse attitude and stamina-filled performances have often benefitted them. Given his age and potential, Spain would have liked for him to join them but things failed to pan out in that manner.
Valverde will now be vying for a spot at the 2022 World Cup with the men in blue, but only time will tell if he regrets not changing nationalities.
