FC Barcelona, 18 players off to represent their countries

A total of 18 Barça players will be packing their bags, not to return to the Joan Gamper training ground until next week.

Sergi Roberto has thanked Barcelona manager Luis Enrique for playing “a large part” in his ascent to the Spain national team. 

After impressing for Barça in a range of positions this season, Vicente del Bosque named Roberto in his squad for this week’s friendlies against Italy and Romania.

“This season, Luis Enrique has given me confidence and I’m playing a lot, in whatever position that may be, midfield or right-back,” the midfielder said at a press conference on Monday. 

“If you play for your team and you do well, you have the chance to be recognised by the national team. Luis Enrique is a large part of the reason I am here and I’m really grateful to him.” 

Despite Euro 2016 in France being just around the corner, the Catalan isn’t looking to far into the future and is just focused on aiding La Roja over the next 10 days. 

“I am really grateful for the opportunity and I hope I can help the team,” he added. “It’s a dream for me to be here. We have to prepare for these games as if they were the European Championships and give our all.”

A total of 18 Barcelona players have been called up for their international sides over the next 10 days. While European sides will play two friendlies, the South American nations have important qualifiers for the World Cup in Russia in 2018. 

FC Barcelona international are: Gerard Pique, Marc Bartra, Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba and Sergi Roberto, Munir (Spain), Arda Turan (Turkey), Ter Stegen (Germany), Mathieu (France), Vermaelen (Belgium), Neymar, Dani Alves and Rafinha (Brazil), Leo Messi and Mascherano (Argentina), Luis Suarez (Uruguay) and Claudio Bravo (Chile).  A total of 18 FC Barcelona players will be packing their bags, not to return to the Joan Gamper training ground until next week.