Official: Five Barcelona players called up by Luis Enrique to represent Spain

Club football will come to a halt once again as the focus shifts towards international football. For once, it means good news for Barcelona, who will have club legend Xavi as their head coach on the touchlines, starting with a fresh slate.

Ahead of the November international break, Spain have released their 25-man squad list, featuring five Barcelona players — Eric Garcia, Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets, Gavi, and Ansu Fati.

? OFICIAL | ¡¡Queremos estar en #Catar2022!!

? Esta es la lista de convocados para los partidos en los que la @SeFutbol se juega el billete directo para el próximo Mundial.

⚽️ 11 de noviembre ? Grecia | Atenas

⚽️ 14 de noviembre ? Suecia | Sevilla#VamosEspaña pic.twitter.com/4fabsx4CMS

— Selección Española de Fútbol (@SeFutbol) November 5, 2021

Garcia faced a slow start to the season but seems to be finding his feet at Barcelona now. He will probably start in the heart of the defence alongside Aymeric Laporte. Alba has been quiet thus far but is almost always effective for La Roja.

Meanwhile, Sergio Busquets has arguably been Barcelona’s best player this season, which admittedly does not say a lot about the team right now. He is the captain of the team in the absence of Sergio Ramos.

Yet to turn 18, Gavi has already received his second call up after doing well for Spain the first time around.

The only questionable player among these is Fati, who has recently recovered from an injury. The Spaniard faced a relapse and returned this week only. It seems like a massive risk for him to be travelling with the national team less than one month after recovering from a year-long injury.

That said, Nico Gonzalez has not been chosen by Lucho despite there being rumours about his selection. He will accompany the U21 team under Luis de la Fuente.