Real Madrid’s Sergio Ramos denied questioning the commitment of his Spain teammates Cesc Fabregas and Diego Costa to the national team after the pair pulled out of a Euro 2016 qualifier with injuries. Cesc Fabregas in particular is supposedly suffering from a hamstring injury but the MRIs he underwent did not reveal any damage.
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Diego Costa is a different case as he has been in and out of the lineup for Spain and Chelsea FC with hamstring issues since he burst on to the scene last year with Atletico Madrid. He is not currently suffering from any injury but Vicente del Bosque opted to rest the big striker for the qualifier and the friendly against Germany next Tuesday.
Sergio Ramos’s original comments:
"“Often with injuries there can be a world of difference between what we have and what is said in public. Above all I would have like the players to show the same commitment to the national team as they do to their club.”"
Ramos’s backpedal or clarification on his original comments:
"“I underlined the commitment that there should be in the national team, not that the two of them don’t have it. Far from it. They’ve tried to pass the tests with the medical services. The gaffer has called up others. It’s a shame they’re not here — they’re important players — but I think that everyone wants to come and play for Spain. That’s what the doctors and the manager are there for. It’s an issue we shouldn’t get involved in.”"
It makes sense for Sergio Ramos to wonder why two of Spain’s most important players would sit out a qualifier and a friendly but if he takes a step back and realizes that La Furia Roja is facing Belarus he may be more understanding. Fabregas and Diego Costa have shown great commitment to their national team and have played through injuries but they deserve a break if they are fatigued.
Especially if Spain is facing such weak opposition in minnows Belarus. This is a passing controversy which will be forgotten as soon as the break is over and every player returns to their respective clubs.
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