Vincent De Bosque announces Spain’s 23 man World Cup squad.
Pedro, Victor Valdes, Javi Martinez, and Fernando Llorente are the surprise inclusions. The biggest absentees are Marcos Senna and Santi Cazorla. A huge part of Spain’s Euro 2008 winning squad has been torn out by these two exclusions.
Pedro gets the call. He has been a killer in front of goal and he is just getting better. He is one of eight Barca players, as the club dominates the selection in all areas. In a bit of a twist, Real Madrid’s selections are all in defense which has been the club’s soft spot this season.
Cesc Fabregas in the spotlight after a supposed emotional meeting with Arsene Wenger over his desire to return to Barca, will play second fiddle to Xavi and Iniesta in the midfield.
Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Jose Manuel Reina (Liverpool), Víctor Valdés (Barcelona).
Defenders: Joan Capdevila (Villarreal), Carles Puyol (Barcelona), Gerard Pique (Barcelona), Raul Albiol (Real Madrid), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Álvaro Arbeloa (Real Madrid), Carlos Marchena (Valencia).
Midfielders: Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Xavi Hernandez (Barcelona), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal), Javi Martínez (Athletic Bilbao).
Forwards: Jesus Navas (Sevilla), David Silva (Valencia), Juan Manuel Mata (Valencia), Fernando Torres (Liverpool), David Villa (Barcelona), Pedro Rodriguez (Barcelona), Fernando Llorente (Athletic Bilbao).