Barça's Balde to go to the World Cup with Spain after Gaya injury
The teenage left-back will travel to Qatar to join up with the rest of the squad soon
Alejandro Balde will be the replacement for José Luis Gayà at the World Cup in Qatar. Following the injury to the Valencia captain, Luis Enrique has opted to call up the uncapped Barcelona youngster.
It is no ordinary first call up for Balde, who is in line to make his debut for Spain at a World Cup, where he will compete with Jordi Alba for a starting spot-
Luis Enrique has rewarded the youngster for a spectacular start to the season with Barça. Xavi Hernández has given him minutes in the first team and he has responded.
The Spain coach, who has already shown that he does not look at a player's age, has opted for Balde ahead of other more experienced full-backs such as Marcos Alonso, his teammate at Barça, or Àlex Moreno, who is playing at a high level at Betis.
Balde's inclusion expands the list of Barça players in the Spain squad to eight. Eric Garcia, Jordi Alba, Balde, Busquets, Gavi, Pedri, Ferran Torres and Ansu Fati are the Barça delegation already working under the orders of Luis Enrique.
