Pedro Porro and James Maddison were notable absentees from the Euro 2024 squad for Tottenham Hotspur. England and Spain faced off in the final on Sunday in Berlin, highlighting their absence.
James Maddison had to endure the heartbreak of seeing England lose in the final once again, while Spain’s youthful and vibrant team defied expectations by winning every match and securing the championship. Initially, even Spain’s supporters were skeptical about their chances due to the team’s transitional phase. Spain’s squad boasted young talents like Lamine Yamal and experienced players like Dani Carvajal and Jesus Navas, aged 32 and 38 respectively.
Despite Porro’s impressive season with Tottenham and his significant contributions under Ange Postecoglou, he was overlooked in favor of the veteran fullbacks. Initially signed by Antonio Conte, Porro struggled in his early Premier League days but turned things around last season, raising expectations for a Euro 2024 call-up. However, he didn’t make the final cut.
Porro has shown admirable sportsmanship, supporting his national team from afar. Instead of sulking, he took to Instagram to congratulate his fellow countrymen on their European championship victory, expressing pride and joy for their achievement.
Given the ages of Carvajal and Navas, Porro is likely to be the next in line for the national team. His omission wasn’t due to a lack of talent but rather the strategic decisions of coach Luis de la Fuente. This was evident in the selection of the 17-year-old Yamal, who started nearly every game, while more senior players like Ferran Torres were benched.
