MADRID (AP) — Ballon d’Or holder Rodri and Real Madrid veteran Dani Carvajal have been recalled by Spain for upcoming World Cup qualifiers after long absences because of knee injuries.

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente included the stalwarts in his squad on Friday for games in Bulgaria and Turkey on Sept. 4 and 7, as the European champion seeks a spot in the 2026 World Cup.

Rodri sat out nearly all of last season after tearing the ACL in his right knee a year ago. He then picked up an injury , reportedly to his groin, at the Club World Cup in the summer.

Manchester City coach Pep Guaridola is now gingerly working him back into his lineup. Rodri missed City’s Premier League opener, a 4-0 win over Wolves, and came on as a substitute in a 2-0 loss to Tottenham last weekend.

Carvajal tore

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