Spain call ‘honours’ Susaeta

Athletic Bilbao midfielder Markel Susaeta is relishing his experience this midweek with the Spain squad for their friendly with Panama.

The versatile winger was a surprise name picked by Vicente del Bosque for the long journey out to Panama for this financially lucrative friendly on Wednesday.

For Susaeta, the call-up is a source of pride and the experience one he is enthusiastic for.

“I am very happy to have been called up. It is an honour to share a dressing room with some great players,” he told reporters today.

“It’s a tremendous joy to participate in this group, in this game, I will enjoy every minute with these great players, they are the champions of the world and Europe.

“Truly, it is an honour to share training and a game with them, so I am happy.

“We know this will be a different type of game to qualifying, but we represent something that we have to respect under all conditions. We have to take to the field to give it our all.”