Javier Martinez & Fernando Llorente make the Spanish World Cup 2010 Squad
Llorente and Javi Martínez, summoned for the World Cup
The RFEF has summoned Athletic Club players Javi Martinez and Fernando Llorente to dispute the World Cup in South Africa with the Spanish National, to be held between 11 June and 11 July 2010. Besides them, below is a list of other players, who while wearing the Athletic Club jersey, were also summoned to play a final phase.
Fernando Llorente: "For a professional player to play the World Cup is the most one could ever wish for. It is also good for Athletic, because it’s a sign that things are being done well. I hope to be in South Africa the maximum time possible. It would be a good sign".
Javi Martinez: "It’s great news. I’ll be with a teammate, which is very positive for Athletic. As a professional soccer player I still can’t define what this means, but it’s clear that I can’t even imagine how lucky I am".
Players summoned for the World Cup while wearing the Athletic Club jersey.
1934 World Cup - Italy: Cilaurren, Gorostiza, Iraragorri, Muguerza and Lafuente
1950 World Cup - Brazil: Zarra, Panizo, Gainza and Nando.
1962 World Cup - Chile: Carmelo and Etxeberria
1966 World Cup - England: Iribar
1978 World Cup - Argentina: Dani
1982 World Cup - Spain: Urkiaga
1986 World Cup - Mexico: Zubizarreta, Goikoetxea and Julio Salinas.
1990 World Cup - Italy: Andrinua and Alkorta.
1994 World Cup - USA: Julen Guerrero
1998 World Cup - France: Etxeberria, Julen Guerrero and Alkorta.
Likewise, the following Athletic Club players have also disputed a World Cup, though when they did so they were either not players or they no longer belonged to the Athletic Club discipline
1962 World Cup - Chile: Garay playing for FC Barcelona
1982 World Cup - Spain: Uralde playing for Real Sociedad and Alexanko playing for FC Barcelona.
1990 World Cup - Italy: Julio Salinas and Zubizarreta playing for FC Barcelona
1994 World Cup - USA: Julio Salinas, Juan Antonio Goikoetxea and Zubizarreta playing for FC Barcelona and Alkorta playing at Real Madrid.
1998 World Cup - France: Zubizarreta playing in Valencia and Lizarazu playing for Bayern Munich.
2002 World Cup Korea and Japan: Lizarazu playing for Bayern Munich.