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2018 World Cup Profile : Spaniards at Barcelona

By Chiranjib Ghosh

MALAGA, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 11: Andres Iniesta of Spain controls the ball during the international friendly match between Spain and Costa Rica at La Rosaleda Stadium on November 11, 2017 in Malaga, Spain. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)
MALAGA, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 11: Andres Iniesta of Spain controls the ball during the international friendly match between Spain and Costa Rica at La Rosaleda Stadium on November 11, 2017 in Malaga, Spain. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images) /
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4 Spanish players from Barcelona will be going to the World Cup

MADRID, SPAIN – MARCH 27: Gerard Pique of Spain looks on during an International friendly match between Spain and Argentina at the Wanda Metropolitano stadium on March 27, 2018 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN – MARCH 27: Gerard Pique of Spain looks on during an International friendly match between Spain and Argentina at the Wanda Metropolitano stadium on March 27, 2018 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) /

Barcelona will be sending 4 players to the World Cup: Gerard Piqué, Andrés Iniesta, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets. This number is lower than the counts in 2014 and 2010, but the club is well represented in the Spain squad regardless.

Gerard Piqué has had an excellent season under Ernesto Valverde. This season, he outgrew his previous form, when he was an understudy to Carles Puyol. Making 46 appearances in all competitions, the 32-year old centre-back showed confidence and good leadership skills.

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As for Sergio Busquets, he endured a relatively mediocre season. The defensive midfielder is skill adapting to the transition from tiki-taka to a more direct style of play. He made 48 appearances across all competitions this season.

Jordi Alba had a very good season. The pacy left-back continued his partnership with Andrés Iniesta up front, while doing a decent job at the back. He made 46 appearances in all competitions, and matured immensely as a player.

Andrés Iniesta had an absolutely brilliant season with Barcelona, one of the better in recent years. He made a considerable contribution to the team, both as player and captain. He linked up with Jordi Alba and Lionel Messi with elan, and ended the season with 43 appearances.

As for the players missing out on a berth in the Spain squad, Sergi Roberto’s exclusion is unjustified. He is clearly better than the inexperienced Álvaro Odriozola, and his versatility would help the squad.

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But Julen Lopetegui’s decision to leave out Denis Suárez, Paco Alcácer and Aleix Vidal is correct, as the players haven’t had much playing time under Ernesto Valverde this season. But it is a pity that Spain managers continue ignore a talented player like Sergi Roberto.