JAKARTA - The decision of the coach of the Spanish national team, Luis Enrique, to repatriate Jose Luis the day before the opening of the 2022 World Cup sparked controversy. Especially after Enrique appointed Barcelona's young talent Alejandro Balde as his successor.
The style is reported to have suffered a minor ankle injury during a training session Wednesday, November 16. That was the day before Spain's last warm-up match towards the 2022 World Cup, against Jordan in Amman.
Two days later, the Spanish football federation, RFEF, announced that the Valencia defender had to be sent home due to an injury he suffered and Balde was called instead.
The controversy arose when Valencia stated that Gaya actually only needed to rest for 7-10 days from the first time it was suffered. Mathematically it is still possible to play in the second match of Spain in the group stage.
What's more, Balde, who was called in as a substitute, made accusations from the Spanish media that Enrique had goldied Barcelona players. Balde became the eighth Barcelona player in the Spanish squad for the 2022 World Cup.
Enrique insisted that the injury experienced by Gaya took 10-15 days to recover and he admitted he could not take the risk.
He admitted that he had to make a decision quickly. The reason is, the stock of players in that sector is quite difficult to obtain.
"I have to make a decision. If I follow the heart, he (Gaya) will remain here, but I have to make decisions with my head," Enrique said as quoted by Antara, Tuesday, November 22.
"The injury he experienced took 10-15 days of recovery and he certainly couldn't play in two games. As a national team coach, I have to do my best for the team," he continued.
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