Thiago Alcantara says he is ‘thrilled’ about Spain reaching the 2018 World Cup and that Andres Iniesta “deserves a statue at Camp Nou”.
Thiago missed the last World Cup due to torn knee ligaments but is almost certain to feature in Russia this summer, alongside former clubmate Iniesta, who signed a new contract with Barcelona on Thursday.
“I’m thrilled about the World Cup because I’d already missed out on one due to injury, but a lot of work still needs to be done,” the Bayern Munich midfielder said after La Roja’s 3-0 win against Albania.
“It’s special because of the work carried out by this national team for the past year-and-a-half, and through sacrifice and hard work, we’ve qualified earlier than planned.
“Our pace in the first 45 minutes was very high and that, coupled with the quality of our passes and game, wasn’t normal.
“That allowed us to approach the second half more conservatively. Iniesta’s new contract? It’s very beautiful.
“Andres deserves a statue at Camp Nou, he’s part of the club’s heritage and Barca have done very well to extend his contract, as has he to stay at the club.”
