The Real Madrid superstar is one of a number of high-profile players to miss out on inclusion but there is room for the game's next superstar…
The final of the 2024 European Championship is almost upon us, with Spain and England set to meet in the tournament-decider in Berlin on Sunday night. It could be an epic encounter, a classic clash of styles, with La Roja having entertained everyone with their direct and dynamic play, while the Three Lions have proven remarkably resilient.
Both teams are also packed with world-class talents, some of whom have really stepped up to the mark in Germany, producing moments of pure magic to keep their country's hopes of glory alive.
So, which players would warrant inclusion in a combined XI? GOAL makes our picks below and has been forced to leave out some seriously big names.
Let us know your thoughts – and your own Spain-England XIs – in the comment box provided…
Getty ImagesGK: Jordan Pickford
Jordan Pickford has copped an awful lot of flak over the years and some of it is obviously rooted in the fact that he's a rather aggressive character on the field. Credit where it's due, though, the Everton goalkeeper has never let the criticism affect him, he's seen off every challenge for the England No.1 shirt, and has been integral to his nation reaching another European Championship final.
Unai Simon has done well for Spain, for the most part, but he always makes at least one poor decision in every game, whereas Pickford has been pretty flawless thus far. He may not be the biggest goalkeeper but he came up big once again for England in the quarter-final shootout win over Switzerland.
AdvertisementGettyRB: Kyle Walker
Dani Carvajal is one of the most underestimated players in world football – which is utterly bizarre given he's been a regular starter for Real Madrid during one of the most successful eras in the club's history – and he's been his usual consistent self in Germany.
However, he did get himself sent off in the dying seconds of Spain's quarter-final win over Germany, so we're going to go with Kyle Walker at right-back instead, as the England man has barely put a foot wrong from a defensive perspective.
The versatile Manchester City defender may not be everyone's cup of tea but his defensive abilities cannot be faulted. If one defender has the pace and nous to deal with Spain winger Nico Williams, it's Walker, who rather incredibly still seems to be as quick as ever at 34 years of age.
GettyCB: John Stones
There were serious doubts over John Stones' match fitness coming into this tournament, as he'd barely played for Manchester City during the final few weeks of the season. However, despite seeing his regular central defensive partner Harry Maguire ruled out by injury, he's performed with his usual level of class and composure, whether playing in a back four or a back three.
Robin Le Normand has had some good games but he did score an own goal against Georgia and never really had any chance of getting into our team ahead of the player that's completed the most passes in Germany (495).
GettyCB: Aymeric Laporte
Aymeric Laporte leaving Manchester City for Al-Nassr felt like such a strange move at the time – but even more so now, with the 30-year-old proving at the Euros that he remains one of the classiest centre-backs in the game.
Laporte was particularly impressive in Spain's wins over Germany and France – the perfect riposte to those of us that wondered whether Pep Guardiola had got rid of him because of a perceived decline in quality.
So, while Marc Guehi deserves tremendous credit for the way in which he has stepped up to the mark for England, the resurgent Laporte has been a cut above the Englishman – and nearly every other defender in Germany.
