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Spain squad for Mexico friendly

Barca sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta said the selection of midfielder Xavi, striker David Villa, goalkeeper Victor Valdes and four others for the match, which falls three days before the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup, was "an extraordinarily negative set of circumstances."

"It will be the first time in history that they call up players who are still on holiday," the former Spain goalkeeper was quoted as saying on Barca's website.

"They (the Barca players) are important because they have become world champions but it's obvious in what condition they will go to the national team training camp.

"Logic says they are not in a position to make such a big effort and undertake such a long trip."

La Liga champions Barca are due to play King's Cup winners Sevilla - who had one player, winger Jesus Navas, called up for the Mexico match - in the traditional season opener. The first leg is on August 14 and the second on August 21.

"We are quite considerate and sensitive to the demands of all clubs because it has to be like that," Del Bosque told a news conference at the Spanish football federation base outside Madrid.

"There have been no requests from Barcelona in any sense... and we have had no contact with them."

Del Bosque gave left-sided Villarreal midfielder Bruno Soriano his first call-up and recalled both Bruno's club mate Santi Cazorla, an attacking midfielder, and Osasuna defender Nacho Monreal, neither of whom were selected for the World Cup.

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