Pedro Porro barely made it back before injury struck again. Now Spain’s coach Luis de la Fuente has to find a new right back for key Nations League games.
Pedro Porro’s return at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium ended almost as soon as it began. He lasted just 19 minutes against Aston Villa before signaling to the bench. The Spanish international walked off, and with that, his chance to join Luis de la Fuente’s Spain squad for the Nations League was gone.
The timing could not be worse for Spain. Only a day before, De la Fuente had named Porro in his squad for matches against England, Croatia, and the Czech Republic. Now Porro is out again, and Spain’s right side is suddenly thin.
The Spanish Football Federation has officially reduced its Nations League squad to 25 players following Porro's injury, rather than calling up an immediate replacement.
Porro’s injury is worrying because of his recent problems. He had just recovered from a muscle issue that kept him out of Tottenham’s last games. Cleared to play, he made it only 16 minutes before pain forced him off. Tottenham’s staff acted fast to avoid making things worse.
Doctors will run tests to see how bad the injury is and how long Porro will be out. What is clear is that he will not play for Spain in this international window. The coaches now have to look at their options. The squad is down to 25, and the right back spot is wide open.
Iván Fresneda from Sporting de Portugal is one possible replacement. The Spanish federation has been watching him closely. Fresneda can play both wide and central defense, which could help if De la Fuente decides to add someone. He came up through Real Madrid’s youth teams and broke through at Valladolid, which adds to his case.
According to several Spanish sports outlets, Porro was initially selected for De la Fuente's first squad of the new cycle, but his muscle injury recurred during the Aston Villa match, leading to his substitution between the 16th and 19th minute. The official stance remains that medical tests are ongoing and no recovery timeline has been set.
Other choices are not so simple. Marcos Llorente, who filled in at right back during the World Cup, is no longer available after stepping away from the national team. Eric García could be asked to cover, but it is not his main position.
Tottenham will keep checking on Porro in the next few days. For Spain, the problem is immediate: they need to adapt fast or risk problems at the back in a crucial Nations League run.
Porro’s injury shows how thin Spain is at right back. De la Fuente now has to make a tough call under pressure. This is the kind of setback that can change a team’s plans overnight. Spain’s next move will show if the squad can handle the pressure as the Nations League heats up.
