Espanyol striker Roberto Fernández receives first Spain call-up after six-goal start

Senior squad selection

RCD Espanyol forward Roberto Fernández attended his first press conference as a senior Spain international on 23 September 2026 at the Ciudad del Fútbol in Las Rozas. Head coach Luis de la Fuente selected the 24-year-old attacker following his return of six goals in the first seven matchdays of the La Liga season. The call-up arrived 61 days after Spain won the World Cup on 19 July 2026, a final that Fernández watched during Espanyol's pre-season training camp in Navata. De la Fuente instructed the forward to maintain his early-season momentum and focus on steady development within the group.

Luis told me to be myself, to keep doing what I have done at the start of this season, that what brought me here is how I worked, and to enjoy and learn.

Career path across Spain and Portugal

Born in Puente Genil in the province of Córdoba, Fernández progressed through the youth ranks of Córdoba, Sevilla, and Málaga, where he made his professional debut in 2021. He spent the 2022–2023 season on loan at Barça Atlètic under manager Rafa Márquez, scoring nine goals in 39 games before returning to Málaga to record 20 goals in 40 appearances during a promotion-winning campaign. A subsequent transfer to Sporting de Braga in Portugal resulted in two goals across 30 appearances, leading Espanyol to recruit him on loan in January 2025. Espanyol later converted the move into a permanent transfer, where an official debut with the senior national team will raise his contract buyout clause from €25 million to €30 million.

Espanyol attacking tradition

Fernández follows several centre-forwards who reached the Spanish national team while representing Espanyol. Recent predecessors include Borja Iglesias, Joselu, Raúl de Tomás, Raúl Tamudo, and Luis García. De la Fuente omitted the 33-year-old Iglesias from the current roster, opening a spot for Fernández alongside established forwards Mikel Oyarzabal and Ferran Torres. Fernández noted the Barcelona-based club's track record of reviving attacking careers and developing talent.

It is an honour to represent a club like Espanyol that gave me full confidence when I was having a difficult time in Braga. Many Espanyol strikers ended up being called up by the national team, and I had that challenge ahead of me.

Nations League preparations

Spain is preparing for four upcoming matches in the UEFA Nations League against England, the Czech Republic, and two meetings with Croatia. In the Las Rozas training camp, Fernández reconnected with former youth colleagues, including Marc Pubill from the Under-21 European Championship and Dean Huijsen from his tenure at Málaga. The forward commented on the intensity of the senior sessions alongside Spain's established internationals as the team prepares to open its campaign against England.

Cucurella is very intense. I have already suffered quite a bit against him. Pedri moves the ball a lot, he is very good. Oyarzabal has a lot of goals, Ferran the same. They are the world champions, everyone surprised me.