Jordan vs. Spain: Ansu Fati and 10 more in final World Cup warmup

Luis Enrique said one of his big doubts going into the World Cup was whether to include Ansu Fati or not. The Barcelona forward has needed two sessions to prove he was right to pick him.

Ansu will be the centre of attention when Spain play their only pre-tournament friendly against Jordan on Thursday. Luis Enrique has confirmed he will start.

The Spain coach will also look to give minutes to other players for various reasons. Aymeric Laporte, Dani Olmo and Eric Garcia all need game time as they come back from injuries. César Azpilicueta, Jordi Alba, Koke, Marco Asensio, Carlos Soler and Pablo Sarabia have not always been regulars with their clubs this season.

The match at the Amman International Stadium will serve for Ansu to show that he is in shape and ready for the World Cup. And Luis Enrique wants the media to forget about the debate around the young forward.

“I would appreciate it if, a small request that I have, we stop referring to Ansu as a player who has overcome an injury,” he said.

“He’s much better than the last time he came. He will start (against Jordan) and I hope he plays 90 minutes. Professional players get injured and they recover.”

Jordan will be Spain’s only opponents before they kick off their campaign in Qatar on Wednesday, Nov. 23 against Costa Rica, so the aim is to avoid any knocks.

In addition to Jose Luis Gaya, who injured his ankle in training on Wednesday, Spain will be without Álvaro Morata, Marcos Llorente and Hugo Guillamón vs. Jordan.

Luis Enrique has been clear that the reason they will not play is out of precaution and that if the World Cup started tomorrow, they would be ready to play.