Takehiro Tomiyasu has named Liverpool midfielder Thiago Alcantara as his favourite player from the Spanish national team with Tomiyasu's Japan set to face the Spaniards in the group stages of the 2022 World Cup. However, Tomiyasu won't get the opportunity to face off against Thiago after he was a shock omission from Luis Enrique's squad.
The Arsenal full back could have also remained back in England for the World Cup after he picked up an injury against FC Zurich, but Tomiyasu is expected to play a significant role in an exciting Japan team.
Spain and Japan are joined in Group E by Germany and Costa Rica with their tournaments set to begin on Wednesday, with Spain playing Costa Rica and Japan faced with the difficult task of taking on the 2014 World Cup winners Germany.
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Tomiyasu has been an integral part of Mikel Arteta's Arsenal this season, with the Gunners shooting to the top of the Premier League after 12 wins from 14.
Bukayo Saka has already impressed as an Arsenal representative at the World Cup, scoring twice in England's 6-2 win over Iran while a number of others including William Saliba, Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus will get their respective tournaments underway in the coming days.
Tomiyasu has already faced up against Thiago this season, with Arsenal winning a Premier League classic 3-2 against the 31-year-old's domestic club Liverpool, but he won't be given the same opportunity in Qatar with Thiago not present at the tournament, something that clearly caught Tomiyasu by surprise.
Reporters asked the Japanese defender about his favourite players in the Spain national team with the 23-year-old naming a fellow Premier League star as his answer, only to be told that Thiago was not picked to appear at the World Cup.
Thiago has made 46 senior appearances for his country after making his debut over a decade ago, but Spain boss Enrique opted to leave Thiago at home, in favour of Sergio Busquets, Rodri, Gavi, Pedri, Carlos Soler, Koke and Marcos Llorente, while also leaving veteran defender Sergio Ramos out of his 26-man squad.
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