Spain defender Hector Bellerin struggled to accept being out of international football for such a long time.
The Arsenal right-back was called up to Spain s squad for the first time in four years after Sevilla s Jesus Navas was ruled out through injury.
He won the last of his three caps for La Roja in a friendly against Georgia in July 2016 and, although he made Spain s squad for Euro 2016, he did not feature at the tournament.
Bellerin, however, was given a recall by coach Luis Enrique for his side s friendly with the Netherlands plus the Nations League fixtures against Switzerland and Germany.
The 25-year-old has been one of Arsenal s most consistent performers this season and played every minute of their eight Premier League games.
He has made 12 interceptions and eight tackles with a success rate of 88 per cent in those matches, helping the Gunners to keep two clean sheets.
Yes, I am so happy getting back home. It has been almost five years since the last time, so I am very happy, Bellerin said in an interview with the Royal Spanish Football Federation.
They have been tough years, and they always are when you cannot join the national team, but I am very proud and happy now. I can t wait to start.
Álvaro Morata is in Spain s squad
He has scored 6 goals in his last 6 club games
— UEFA EURO 2020 (@EURO2020)
Another player thrilled to be recalled by Luis Enrique after a break is Atletico Madrid midfielder Koke, who last featured for Spain just over two years ago.
Koke, 28, has not featured for Spain since a 4-1 friendly defeat of Wales in October 2018.
I am very happy to be here again with the national team, Koke explained.
It has been a long time, but I do have the same excitement that I had on my first day and I am looking forward to helping the team win the games.
Spain are top of Nations League Group A4 with seven points but saw their 13-game unbeaten run (W10 D3) in competitive matches ended last time out with a surprise 1-0 loss to Ukraine.
Left-back Jose Luis Gaya has warned his team-mates not to let any complacency seep into their forthcoming performances.
It is true we are still first, and that gives us a little advantage. But we know how football is and everything can happen, added the Valencia defender.
We need to try on winning all the games, that s what this jersey demands.
Therefore, we cannot get relaxed and we have to face two official games plus the friendly one as they were finals.
