MADRID, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- Spain national team coach Luis de la Fuente has ruled out veteran central defender Sergio Ramos returning to the side despite his positive start to the season with Sevilla.
The 37-year-old, who holds Spain's all-time appearance record with 180 caps, hasn't played for his country since March 2021, although his supporters have continued to call for his return.
Ramos' return to Sevilla, where he began his career, has seen him put on several impressive displays and once again, there are calls for him to return to the international fold.
However, in an interview with Spanish sports paper Diario AS, De la Fuente made it clear that Ramos was not in his plans, despite admitting having talked to the veteran.
"I don't like to discuss private conversations and I like to respect that," said De la Fuente, who was under-21 coach prior to taking over the national team and has made clear his intention to complete a generational change, with players such as Robin Le Normand and David Garcia coming into his plans.
"What is clear is that, just by seeing how things have developed, shows how I am putting faith in other players."
"I don't want to take any value away from Sergio Ramos, who is a great player, but a national team coach has to start with an idea based on something and I have a series of players who give me guarantees and confidence," De la Fuente said. ■
