Spain must go into Saturday’s Nations League showdown with the Czech Republic in Oviedo at 20:45 without 30‑year‑old Fabian Ruiz, who departed the Roja camp to welcome his first child.
A last‑minute loss for La Roja: PSG’s Fabian Ruiz left the squad in Paris on Saturday to attend his baby’s birth, the Spanish federation confirmed.
He’ll sit out the third‑round fixture against the Czech Republic, and the federation gave no word on a possible return for the final match on Tuesday in Split, Croatia.
Fresh off a World Cup triumph, Spain opened their campaign with a 3‑2 victory over England and a 4‑1 rout of Croatia, with Ruiz starting both games.
Will Spain’s midfield adapt without him for the upcoming fixtures?
The Spanish midfielder, enjoying a landmark year after back‑to‑back Champions League wins with PSG and a World Cup title, isn’t the only player to step away for a happy occasion – in my view, his absence shows personal milestones can trump football duties.
Ivory Coast’s Nicolas Pépé, who featured in the first two CAN 2027 qualifiers – 2‑0 wins over Ghana and Somalia – will miss Saturday’s friendly with Cameroon after being granted leave for family reasons, the Ivorian federation said, sending best wishes to him and his wife.