World Cup-winning midfielder Andres Iniesta said that Spain’s youthful squad has plenty of first-team experience at the club level to deliver international success.

The 2010 champion has opted for a new generation of talent with the likes of Liverpool midfielder Thiago Alcantara and Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea left out. A lot will be expected from exciting Barcelona teenagers Pedri and Gavi at the finals in Qatar, and Iniesta said he had full confidence in their abilities.

 

They’re young, but they’re first-team players, important, and with a lot of responsibility. They have an opportunity to give their best,” Barca great Iniesta said. “It’s a challenge they’re passionate about and they’re aware of being able to do well. I love this team and I love the group that the coach has put together.

Andres Iniesta has been a key player for the Spanish national football team since the 2002 World Cup. He was one of the stars of the 2010 tournament. Iniesta was under contract with Barcelona since 2009 and has played there for over a decade. He joined from Real Madrid, where he had spent his youth career. Iniesta won a host of trophies with Barcelona and Spain, including La Liga on six occasions, four Champions League titles, two Copa Del Rey trophies, four Supercopa de Espana titles, two UEFA Super Cups, and an International Federation of Football History & Statistics World Player of the Year award in 2014.
Iniesta, who scored the winning goal that gave Spain its only World Cup title, will be hoping for another win when the team competes in the next one. “I hope and wish that the winners of the World Cup will be Spain,” Iniesta said. “My prediction is always ambitious.” Spain faces Costa Rica in its opener on Wednesday before matches against Germany and Japan in Group E.