Spain have suffered another injury setback after Ferran Torres was released from Luis de la Fuente’s squad because of persistent discomfort in his left ankle, opening the door for Real Madrid youngster Carlos Espí to receive his first senior call-up.
Category: International Football
By Abiodun Adewale Adeniyi | Founder & Editor, Beyond the Final Whistle
October 2, 2026
Spain's demanding international window has produced another injury problem.
The Spanish Football Federation confirmed on Friday that Ferran Torres has withdrawn from the national-team camp because of persistent discomfort in his left ankle, with the forward returning to Paris Saint-Germain to continue his recovery.
Importantly, this is not a Barcelona injury story. Torres now plays for Paris Saint-Germain, and the RFEF confirmed that Spain's medical staff have been communicating with PSG's doctors throughout the international camp.
The problem initially did not prevent Torres from training or playing, but the symptoms persisted. Spain have therefore decided not to take further risks with one of their attacking options.
And his withdrawal has created a major opportunity for one of Spanish football's emerging young forwards.
Carlos Espí has been promoted from Spain's Under-21 squad to replace him.
Ferran Torres Leaves Spain Camp
Torres had been experiencing discomfort in his left ankle, although initially the problem appeared manageable.
He was able to train and featured during this international window, but the discomfort did not disappear.
The RFEF explained that after monitoring the situation alongside PSG's medical department, the decision was taken to release Torres and prioritise his recovery.
Ferran Torres has been released from Spain duty because of his left-ankle problem
Torres started Spain's dramatic 3–2 Nations League victory over England at Wembley before being substituted during the second half. He was then an unused substitute as Spain defeated Croatia 4–1.
That England encounter is already part of an increasingly eventful Nations League campaign for the world champions.
Beyond the Final Whistle covered the Wembley thriller in our analysis of England 2–3 Spain: World Champions Fight Back to Punish Tuchel's Three Lions at Wembley.
Now De la Fuente must continue the campaign without Torres.
Spain and PSG Decide Not to Take the Risk
One detail in the RFEF announcement is particularly significant.
Spain's doctors have remained in constant contact with PSG's medical staff since the beginning of the camp, with both medical teams jointly monitoring Torres' condition.
That suggests his withdrawal is precautionary rather than Spain attempting to push him through a persistent problem.
The federation has not announced a specific recovery timetable.
That means it would be premature to describe Torres as facing a lengthy absence.
What we know is much simpler: the ankle discomfort has persisted, Spain do not want to aggravate it, and Torres will now concentrate on recovering with PSG.
For his club, that is the sensible outcome.
An international window can quickly turn a minor problem into something considerably more serious if a player continues competing through discomfort.
Carlos Espí Gets His Big Opportunity
Torres' departure has created a fascinating opportunity.
Luis de la Fuente has called Carlos Espí into Spain's senior squad for the first time.
And the timing could hardly be better for the Real Madrid youngster.
Espí has just produced an extraordinary performance for Spain Under-21s, scoring five goals and providing two assists in their remarkable 13–0 victory over San Marino.
Carlos Espí's five-goal Under-21 performance has earned him a senior Spain call-up
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Rather than returning to his club after that performance, Espí now moves straight into De la Fuente's senior setup.
That is a considerable step.
Scoring five times against San Marino Under-21s does not by itself prove a player is ready to become Spain's next senior striker.
But producing that performance immediately before a place becomes available has given Espí an opportunity he could hardly have anticipated.
He now has the chance to train alongside the world champions and potentially make his senior international debut.
Real Madrid also confirmed his promotion, noting that this is Espí's first call-up to Spain's senior national team.
Spain's Injury List Keeps Growing
Torres is not Spain's only fitness concern during this international period.
The world champions have already had to deal with several withdrawals and injury problems across the squad.
That makes De la Fuente's squad management increasingly important.
Spain's depth has been one of their greatest strengths, but even a squad as talented as this one can eventually feel the effects when several players become unavailable during the same international window.
We have already seen the strength of Spain's attacking options.
Their 4–1 victory over Croatia provided another demonstration, with Lamine Yamal producing a devastating performance.
Beyond the Final Whistle analysed that display in Lamine Yamal Runs Riot as Spain Thrash Croatia 4–1 — Are the World Champions Getting Even Better?.
Torres' absence now creates another opportunity for the next player in line.
This time, that player is Espí.
What Comes Next for Spain?
Spain host the Czech Republic at the Estadio Carlos Tartiere in Oviedo on Saturday, October 3, before travelling to Split for another meeting with Croatia on October 6.
The RFEF's official schedule confirms both Nations League fixtures.
Torres will play no part.
Espí, meanwhile, could potentially make his senior debut in either match.
That gives Saturday's game an additional storyline.
For Spain, the priority is continuing their strong start while managing a squad increasingly affected by fitness problems.
For Torres, the priority is simpler: get the ankle right before returning to PSG.
And for Espí, this could be the beginning of something much bigger.
A five-goal performance for Spain Under-21s has suddenly been followed by his first senior call-up.
Now he has the opportunity to show De la Fuente that he belongs there.
Beyond the Final Whistle, Ferran Torres' withdrawal is another reminder of the physical demands placed on elite players during a relentless club-and-international schedule. Spain have sensibly chosen not to gamble with a persistent ankle problem — but their loss has created one of the most intriguing opportunities of the international break, with Carlos Espí suddenly stepping from the Under-21s into the world champions' senior squad.
Could Carlos Espí turn an unexpected Spain call-up into his senior international breakthrough against Czechia or Croatia? Join the conversation on Beyond the Final Whistle.
