A number of Spain’s experienced players are said to be considering their international future after La Roja’s World Cup exit.
AS reports that Iker Casillas, Xabi Alonso, Xavi Hernandez and Fernando Torres could all step away from the national team after Spain were knocked out of the tournament at the group stage with two defeats in two games.
David Villa had already announced he would quit international football when Spain’s involvement in the competition came to an end.
The report adds that the atmosphere as Spain left Rio de Janeiro for Curitiba was akin to a funeral and the next training session that followed the Chile defeat took place with no laughter or jokes.
It’s also said there was no intensity to the players’ movements and one unnamed player described the prospect of spending five more days in Brazil as ‘hell.’
Villa and Cesc Fabregas are both understood to feel they have been under-utilised by Vicente Del Bosque, with Villa not getting on the pitch at all and Fabregas has played only 12 minutes, as a substitute against the Netherlands.
A new-look Spain is expected for the Euro 2016 qualifiers, which begin on September 4 against France in Paris. The likes of Kiko Casilla, Isco, Alberto Moreno, Thiago Alcantara, Dani Carvajal, Jese, Ander Iturraspe and Gerard Deulofeu are all mentioned as potential members of the squad.
RFEF President Angel Villar remained in Rio as the team returned to Curitiba and is expected to meet with the Press to discuss Spain’s disappointing World Cup.
