Three of the 15 players — Bonmatí, striker Mariona Caldentey and defender Ona Batlle — are included on Spain’s 30-member preliminary roster for the World Cup, as are Putellas and Paredes, who were not part of the 15 but had expressed concern about team conditions.
Vilda does not go into specifics about why some of the 15 disgruntled players were included but not others.
“Honestly, I don’t think that is what matters; what matters is that they are here, which means they are committed to the national team and they can compete at the World Cup. I don’t want to talk about that process,” he said. “There have been conversations, but those will remain private as always. These are the decisions that have been taken. Some [of the 15] are here, and I am convinced they will work to be part of the group and that they will fight for the biggest thing there is in sport, which is to represent for your country. The 30 who come are sportspeople, and they want to build a strong group; they want the best players alongside them. Living sport unites you. I am convinced there will be concordance, calm and harmony.”
Bonmatí would later say she “had some meetings with the federation. Both parties agreed and accepted that some things had to change in order for me to come back. At that moment I was hopeful that the federation would give us the backing we deserve. And so in the end, I decided to play this World Cup.”
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