Gerard Pique believes Spain are well-placed to defend the World Cup this summer but believes hosts Brazil are the favourites.
Pique was speaking at a Press conference, before which he may have accidentally revealed Cesc Fabregas is set to leave Barcelona when he was overheard speaking with Vicente Del Bosque.
The subject of Cesc was raised by reporters, with Pique claiming that Barca have not made the most of the former Arsenal captain.
“He isn’t valued by the club,” Pique lamented, according to AS.
“Cesc would be a starter at any team in the world, but it takes more at Barca.
“I love Cesc and I know he’s in a difficult situation because the club doesn’t value him as he deserves.
“I don’t know what he’ll do. We haven’t talked about that. I hope he stays, because seeing his stats this year, he’s the midfield player who scored the most goals and made the most assists.
“Clearly I want him to stay with us.”
Pique then turned to Spain’s World Cup preparations and confirmed he is feeling content regarding his end-of-season injury problems.
“We are doing morning and afternoon sessions and it’s good for the legs. I’m happy with how I am,” he revealed.
“We’re favourites for the group. Brazil are the hosts and they won the Confederations Cup.
“We have a star on the shield. We feel just as good as in 2010.
“I think we’re one of the candidates to win, but not the favourites. Brazil are. They hosted and won the Confederations Cup.
“Argentina and Germany are two other well-equipped teams. I think we are candidates but not great candidates for the title.
“There’s not much change compared to how we felt when we got the star in South Africa. We know what it means.
“Maybe other teams respect us a lot and that’s good. We arrive as world champions and that isn’t insignificant.”
Pique was asked about two of his international teammates, centre-back partner Sergio Ramos and striker Diego Costa.
“Historically I think [Ramos] has been one of the best in the world,” Pique said of the Real Madrid man.
“It’s a pleasure to play alongside him. I hope he has a World Cup as brilliant as the end of his season and can help us.
“[Costa] looks good. He is a player with plenty of power and should be 100%.
“In all the workouts we’ve done so far he’s looked like he’s at a good level.”
