Betis keeps drawing international teams: Argentina call-up for Valentín Gómez

Betis keeps building its reputation as an international showcase. According to MARCA, in recent seasons several players have reached, recovered or maintained their national-team status thanks to the team’s steady step up—and the September and early-October FIFA call-ups (kicking off this week) underline that trend again.

At the center of the spotlight is Valentín Gómez, a left-footed center-back who, after featuring in four official matches this season across LaLiga and the Champions League, has received a call-up from Argentina. MARCA stresses that it’s the first time he’s entered the plans of La Albiceleste’s senior squad following his route through the youth ranks.

The “Betis effect” keeps growing

The news fits into a list that has kept expanding. MARCA recalls how players found the decisive push in Heliópolis: Pau López received Spain’s first call in 2018; Sergio Canales earned a first senior opportunity in March 2019 under Luis Enrique and later, with Luis de la Fuente, won the 2022-23 UEFA Nations League; and Emerson Royal took a similar step with Brazil after establishing himself at Betis.

The article also highlights more recent examples. Borja Iglesias landed his first Spain call after his strong start to the 2022-23 campaign; Ayoze Pérez made his debut with a goal and went on to win the European Championship still as a Betis player; and Álvaro Fidalgo reached Mexico after fulfilling the minimum residency period before signing for Betis, eventually playing at the World Cup.

MARCA adds another storyline: players who managed to get back into selection after time away. The clearest case is Isco Alarcón, who returned to a Spain squad in May 2025 for the Nations League Final Four after not being called up since June 2019.

With Valentín Gómez’s call-up as the latest example, Betis once again reinforces its role as a club with real international pull. The next step is seeing how the defender performs once he joins Argentina for the September fixtures and the early-October matches.