Juan Mata had no room for any England players in his combined Spain and England XI.
The two countries go head-to-head for Euros glory at the Euro 2024 final this Sunday, live on talkSPORT.
This is the Three Lions’ second Euros final in a row following their penalty shootout heartbreak against Italy at Euro 2020.
But despite this, former Spain star Mata says he wouldn’t pick any of Gareth Southgate’s men over La Roja’s if he had both countries stars to choose from for a line-up for Sunday.
Sitting down with talkSPORT out in Germany, Mata went through each position and was asked to pick between each Spanish and English stars that have owned that respective spot at the tournament.
Mata turned down all of the England options, including former Manchester United teammate Luke Shaw and Red Devils starlet Kobbie Mainoo.
That’s despite him playing at Old Trafford for eight years of his career.
Asked to pick between Marc Cucurella or Luke Shaw at left-back, he said: “I love Luke, but today and Sunday, Cucurella.”
That was the case for midfielder Mainoo too.
“I love Mainoo, what he’s done for United is incredible and his age too,” he said. “But Fabian Ruiz, he’s having a great Euros.”
When quizzed on whether he would want Lamine Yamal – who turns 17 this Saturday – or Bukayo Saka, he picked the Barcelona starlet, but had plenty of praise for the Arsenal star.
“Saka is amazing and you know his level at Arsenal now for a couple of years,” he said. “But I think we all admire Lamine.”
Mata won the Euros with Spain in 2012, with La Roja beating Italy 4-0 in the final to help them retain their 2008 title.
He was also part of the squad that won the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
The former Chelsea star clearly believes Spain’s current XI are more than capable of lifting another trophy on Sunday.
And his match prediction backed that up.
He said: “I would like 2-1 for Spain in extra time, so 1-1 in 90 minutes then extra time with one late goal.”
talkSPORT will bring you live commentary of the Euro 2024 final on Sunday as England bid to make history against Spain. Tune in via the website or the app, and follow our live Euro 2024 blog for all the build-up.