FCBARCELONA.CAT

05.10.2007 14:03

Ten Barça players called up for internationals

Roger Bogunyà

Abidal, Thuram, Henry, Milito, Messi, Ronaldinho, Deco, Xavi, Iniesta and Puyol have all been picked to play for their national sides.

At least ten players have been named in their national sides, and there could be more to come. Seven have Euro 2008 places to play for, while the South Americans will be getting their World Cup 2010 campaign under way.

Three each for France and Spain

Raymond Domenech has named Barça’s Thuram, Abidal and Henry in a French squad that faces the Faeroe Islands and Lithuania as they seek to bounce back from home defeat to Scotland.

Luis Aragonés has do or die matches against Denmark and Sweden ahead, and for that he has called upon the services of Xavi, Iniesta and Puyol, the latter of whom is returning to the Spanish side after missing the last series of matches through injury.

Also in search of a place in Austria and Switzerland is Deco. Portugal will be expecting six points out of their encounters with Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan.

Milito, Messi and Ronaldinho

Meanwhile, the South Americans have the long road to South Africa ahead of them, Qualification matches get under way next weekend with Argentina facing back to back matches with Chile and Venezuela, while Brazil start with games against Colombia and Ecuador.

Other players that could get a call up over the next day or two are the two Mexicans, plus Iceland’s Gudjohnsen.