Although it’s been a decade since Spain’s golden era began, it’s only been in the recent past that Barcelona’s influence on the national side has begun to wane.
Little by little, as players have edged towards the twilight of their careers, they’ve retired from La Roja duty one by one.
The most recent ones were Andres Iniesta and Gerard Pique, following the likes of Xavi, Carles Puyol and David Villa. With Pedro and Cesc Fabregas amongst those not being considered any longer, it’s clear to see how and where that influence has dissipated.
Jordi Alba was a surprise omission from the most recent set of call ups by Luis Enrique, and if their previous working relationship is anything to go by, he could be another Blaugrana to call time on his national team career.
Theoretically, that would only leave Sergio Busquets and Sergi Roberto as two regular Barca first teamers likely to make the cut, and the former will probably bring the curtain down on his own international career within a couple of years.
Though Spain have shown that they’re more than equipped to adapt to a different way of working, the worry for Barcelona is what was once a steady stream of talent making waves with La Roja, is now barely a trickle.
It’s long been contended that the depth of quality at La Masia isn’t what it was, and with Munir El Haddadi, Denis Suarez and Sergi Samper nowhere close to a senior call up, that statement would appear to ring true.
Even if Barca are able to build their academy products back up to the level of a decade ago, that will take time and Spain will likely have moved on again stylistically by then.
The ‘tiki-taka’ style, whilst not yet fully disappeared, now appears to be the exception rather than the rule.
The upshot of that is Barcelona players are unlikely to find themselves in the national side in such numbers in future.
Those that are good enough, however, will need to adapt and modify their individual style to ensure they can stay as first choice for an extended period.
Former Barcelona coach, Luis Enrique, is now at the helm, and the Asturian successfully managed the transition at club level from the possession-based game of Pep Guardiola to a more direct and purposeful one.
It did the Catalans no harm at all, so it will be interesting to see if his methods work just as well on the international stage.
