( CNN ) -- David Villa was top goalscorer at Euro 2008 as Spain secured a first major championship in 44 years , but the world champions ' all-time leading marksman will not be part of next month 's title defense in Poland and Ukraine . Villa , who has scored 51 international goals , has been out of action since December , when he fractured a bone in his left leg while playing for Barcelona at the FIFA Club World Cup . The Spanish Football Federation 's website has confirmed that the 30-year-old will not be fit enough to be part of coach Vicente del Bosque 's 23-man squad , which will be named on Sunday . Who are European football 's 'Most Valuable Players ? ' `` Villa spoke with the national team coach after the team arrived ( for a training camp ) in Schruns , Austria , '' it reported . `` After not getting in the final practice and development desired , David Villa spoke with Del Bosque , who relayed that although it was Villa 's wish to be with the team in Poland and Ukraine , that his physical state was 'not as good ' as would be desirable . '' It is the second setback for Del Bosque , who will also be without injured key defender Carles Puyol for the June 8-July 1 tournament . Villa , who scored five goals as Spain won the 2010 World Cup , expressed his gratitude to fans for their continued backing . `` Thanks to all of you for your support , '' the former Valencia striker wrote on micro-blogging site Twitter . `` I will continue working to return to play as soon as possible with Barca and the Spanish national team . '' Villa 's absence was felt by Barca , who missed out on the Spanish league title for the first time in four years and finished second -- nine points behind archrivals Real Madrid . With Villa unavailable , the door is now open for Fernando Torres to stake a claim for a return to the starting lineup . The Chelsea striker , who scored the only goal as Spain beat Germany 1-0 in the Euro 2008 final , has been called into the squad for Saturday 's friendly against Serbia . Fernando Llorente , the Athletic Bilbao forward who starred during the Basque club 's run to the Europa League final , is also hoping to lead Spain 's frontline . Four Four Two magazine 's Tim Stannard explained how the absence of Villa , captain Carles Puyol and the loss of form of several key players could mean Joachim Low 's Germany are now favorites for the tournament . `` Germany moved into the favorites position , although they do have a very tough group to get through , '' said Stannard . `` It 's not just that Puyol is out . Gerard Pique is very much out of form , there are doubts about who is going to play at full back . Iniesta and Pedro are n't in very good form and neither is Fernando Torres . '' Stannard tipped Llorente to fill Villa 's boots , although he will first have to emerge unscathed from Bilbao 's Copa del Rey final against Barcelona on Friday . `` The Copa del Rey final is another huge blitz to Del Bosque at the end of a badly organized campaign so far for Spain , '' he said . Drawn in Group C , Spain will first face 2006 World Cup winners Italy in Gdansk on June 10 before playing Croatia and the Republic of Ireland .
David Villa is ruled out of Spain 's Euro 2012 campaign with a fractured leg . The striker has been sidelined since December 's Club World Cup . The year - old is Spain 's all - time top scorer , with 51 international goals . Fernando Torres or Fernando Torres will lead Spain 's attack in his place .