Family comes first for Spain’s David Silva
Manchester City midfielder David Silva has been allowed to leave Spain’s squad for “personal reasons”.
The 32-year-old started the 1-1 friendly draw against Germany in Dusseldorf on Friday, but the Spanish camp say he will definitely not take part in Tuesday’s clash against Argentina in Madrid.
Silva has missed several Premier League games for runaway leaders City this season, with boss Pep Guardiola’s blessing.
He has been allowed compassionate leave to spend time with his wife and son, who was born prematurely.
A statement from the Spanish FA read: “David Silvahas been released from the squad for personal reasons.”
Manchester City face Everton in the Premier League next Saturday before heading to Anfield on Wednesday, April 4, to face Liverpool in the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal tie.
Meanwhile, Wales defender Chris Gunter of Reading has had a taste of what it is like to be Gareth Bale with his own Chinese fan club overwhelming him in Nanning.
Gunter has become a hugely popular figure at the China Cup – if not quite rivalling the film-star attention on Real Madrid forward Bale – as home fans have lined up for autographs and selfies with the Reading full-back at the Wales team hotel.
One star-struck fan even admitted she had spent three hours a day for two months drawing a photograph of Gunter’s memorable chin-up gesture to Wales supporters following the heartbreaking last- minute defeat to England at Euro 2016.
“I had a couple of messages on Twitter before I came here, but I didn’t know what to expect really,” Gunter said of his new- found celebrity status ahead of Monday’s China Cup final against Uruguay.
“There’s a few more enthusiastic ones, but I don’t think I can compete in numbers with Gareth.
“They are very polite and respectful here and the enthusiasm generally for us as a team has been eye-opening.
“It’s fantastic and just shows in terms of Wales as a nation how far we’re reaching out.”
Gunter became Wales’ most- capped outfield player when he made his 86th appearance in the 6-0 semi-final victory over China on Thursday.