Spain starlet Veiga, now at Al-Ahli, included in U-21’s squad ahead of Malta qualifier

He reportedly moved to Al-Ahli for a fee around 35 million euros

One of Spain’s highly-rated players, Gabri Veiga, is one of the notable players including by coach Santi Denia in his U-21’s selection ahead of their upcoming European qualifiers.

The highly-talented Spanish side will launch their 2025 Euro qualifiers campaign against Malta on September 8, at the Tony Bezzina Stadium.

Three days later, they will host Scotland in their second and final group game during this September international window.

Veiga, 21, made his Al-Ahli debut last Saturday in their 5-1 defeat against Al-Fateh.

His move to Saudi Arabia was greeted with disquiet in Spain with Veiga reportedly moving to Al-Ahli for a fee around 35 million euros.

He was linked to several top European clubs this summer after his 11 goals and four assists in 56 appearances with Celta Vigo.

Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos described Veiga’s move to Saudi Arabia as “embarrassing” in an Instagram comment.

Hugo Bueno, Wolves’ left-back, is part of the U-21’s team after his three appearances for the club in the Premier League against Manchester United, Brighton and Everton.

Porto’s newly-signed Nicolas Gonzalez – who joined from Barcelona this summer, Liverpool’s Stefan Bajcetic, Manchester United’s Alvaro Fernandez and Alvaro Carillo of Real Madrid are also part of the squad.

Ilias Akhomach, one of the brightest stars during the recent U-19’s European Championships hosted in Malta, has been picked up for these two games.

Since joining Villarreal from Barcelona this summer, he has already featured twice in the La Liga against Mallorca and his former Catalonian employers.

Notably, there is no Barcelona player player included in this U-21’s team.

SQUAD

Gabri Veiga (Al-Ahli, Saudi Arabia), Alejandro Iturbe (Atletico Madrid), Pablo Barrios (Atletico Madrid), Rafael Martin (Deportivo Alaves), Samuel Omorodion (Deportivo Alaves), Nicolas Gonzalez (Porto), Arnau Martineez (Girona), Pablo Torre (Girona), Stefan Bajcetic (Liverpool, England), Alvaro Fernandez (Manchester United, England), Hugo Novoa (RB Leipzig, Germany), Alvaro Carrillo (Real Madrid), Benat Turrientes (Real Sociedad), Robert Navarro (Real Sociedad), Alvaro Aceves (Real Valladolid), Alejandro Frances (Real Zaragoza), Ivan Azon (Real Zaragoza), Pablo Cunat (SD Amorebieta), Javier Guerra (Valencia), Francisco Perez (Valencia), Diego Lopez (Valencia), Ilias Akhomach (Villarreal), Hugo Bueno (Wolves, England).