Spain Coach Vicente del Bosque has warned Barcelona new boy Aleix Vidal that it will be difficult to win a place in the national team without playing.
Vidal this week left Sevilla for the treble winners but can’t make a competitive debut for La Blaugrana until January, when their FIFA-imposed transfer embargo will be lifted.
“It will be hard to call him up if there’s no activity,” AS reports the trainer telling Onda Cero.
Del Bosque also touched on a number of other topics, including the minor furore from Gerard Pique’s comments as Barca celebrated the treble.
Pique made an allusion to the infamous birthday party held by Cristiano Ronaldo the evening Real Madrid had been beaten by Atletico Madrid, Pique suggesting that was the night Barca’s title victory was set in motion.
“I didn’t see any bad side to it,” Del Bosque said of the defender’s comments.
“It was ironic, not to be taken seriously. There have been worse celebrations. There’s always a little excessive behaviour but with respect.
“They are good athletes and if they are going to harm the national team they wouldn’t be called up.”
Diego Costa is one player not with the squad for games against Costa Rica and Belarus and Del Bosque elaborated on the Chelsea forward’s situation.
“He hasn’t given us what we wanted, but he isn’t marginalised. We simply decided not to bring him,” he said, before moving on to the Champions League final.
“Barca were superior although Juventus were level for 15 or 20 minutes. But it would have been an injustice if they had won, because Barca had more stomach.
“Lionel Messi didn’t score but he was involved in Barca’s game. He’s a player who scores a lot and more if the ball went for Sergio Busquets. He’s a scorer, a passer and a dribbler. That race is almost obsolete.
“Busquets controlled the game and did quite well.
“Alvaro Morata has a good idea of how to play and he hasn’t been burned by the ball. He has enormous quality.”
From the Champions League final, Del Bosque moved to the goalkeepers situation, having previously been critical of the number of foreign custodians in La Liga, and then to Spain’s style of play and the timing of the internationals.
“Barca signed two good goalkeepers,” he said after questioning how they replaced Victor Valdes.
“David De Gea? He has experience in England and he is a very valuable player.
“Spain would play on the counter-attack if we had fast or direct players. Not everything is possession and not everything is counter-attack.
“The date is awkward but we can’t shut up shop. We have to make one last effort. We’re playing for a lot.”
Del Bosque concluded by offering a quick comment on the FIFA corruption scandal.
“I’m sceptical. When people are charged, then I’ll believe it.”
