Spain has released their squad for their upcoming World Cup qualifying matches against France and Belarus, and it doesn't include Gerard Piqué. The Barcelona defender might play on Sunday in El Clasico, but he hasn't trained during the week, and Vicente del Bosque did not want to take the risk of calling in an unfit player.
Javi Martínez replaces Gerard Piqué in Spain squad
Gerard Piqué‘s injury troubles mean he won’t play for Spain during the international break. He’s one of three missing Barcelona players, but one member of the Blaugrana, David Villa, is back to playing a prominent role.
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Instead, Javi Martínez is in the side. The versatile defender/midfielder is listed as a defender on the squad, but del Bosque says that’s not an indicator of where he’ll play, if he does play.
“With Javi Martinez we have two alternatives. We will use him where we think most appropriate. I called him up as a defender but that doesn’t mean anything.”
The squad also does not include his fellow injured Barcelona teammates Thiago Alcantara and Carles Puyol, as well as Fernando Llorente who is out of favor at his club and Juan Mata, who is in need of some rest. David Villa gets a recall after returning to the Barcelona starting XI.
Goalkeepers
Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Jose Reina (Liverpool), Víctor Valdés (Barcelona).
Defenders
Raúl Albiol (Real Madrid), Álvaro Arbeloa (Real Madrid), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Javi Martínez (Bayern Munich), Ignacio Monreal (Málaga), Jordi Alba (Barcelona), Juanfran (Atlético Madrid)
Midfielders
Andrés Iniesta (Barcelona), Xavi (Bacelona), Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Cesc Fàbregas (Barcelona), David Silva (Manchester City), Beñat (Real Betis), Jesús Navas (Sevilla), Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), Santi Cazorla (Arsenal).
Forwards
David Villa (Barcelona), Fernando Torres (Chelsea), Pedro (Barcelona), Roberto Soldado (Valencia)
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