Back to the boardMálaga are the only LaLiga side without internationals on the break
News🇪🇸 LaLiga5d ago · September 22, 2026

Málaga are the only LaLiga side without internationals on the break

Málaga face the international break with their whole squad available: 28 players, none called up by national teams.

Málaga enter the international break as the only team in LaLiga EA Sports with no players missing due to national-team call-ups. As MARCA reports, all 28 squad members available to Juanfran Funes have not received a call-up for either the senior teams or youth national sides.

A clear training boost

The sporting upside is straightforward. With no trips and no typical workload from international matches, Funes can work for “almost three weeks” with practically the entire group, lowering the risk that comes from sudden changes in intensity and travel.

Less international exposure

The downside is visibility. While most of the league’s clubs lose players to represent their countries, Málaga is the one missing that international showcase during this period.

Call-ups that didn’t arrive

MARCA also highlights that some players had options but were not selected:

  • Chupete, Adrián Niño, Rafita and Izan Merino were not called up by Spain’s Under-21.
  • For Merino and Niño specifically, both had been internationals last season (the first at the U-20 World Cup and the second through European Under-21 qualifying commitments).
  • Aaron Ochoa, a regular in Ireland’s youth set-up, was ruled out due to a meniscus injury.
  • Jens Cajuste, with 28 caps across Sweden’s senior and Under-21 teams, has not been included in his national setup since 2024.
  • Adam Aznou (who went from Spain youth levels to representing Morocco) and Haitam, with experience in Morocco’s youth ranks, also were not called up.

With this situation, while other LaLiga sides return to action with reduced squads, Málaga can prepare for the restart with their full first-team group.

Next matchMalagaEspanyolFriday 9 October · 15:00Kick-off, where to watch and line-ups →
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SourceMARCARead the original article
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