Gerard Pique will be back in Xavi's team again

Despite the criticism aimed at Gerard Pique, there was a surprise on Monday when it became known that Luis Enrique had included him on his pre-list for the World Cup. It’s not public, but the RFEF informed FIFA and the clubs of the players on the list, 55 names. And Pique and Sergio Ramos were there.

The Catalan decided to retire from international duty in 2018 after the Russia World Cup. “It was a very beautiful era with a Euros and World Cup, but it’s an era that’s over,” said Pique at a press conference.

Even though he is on this pre-list, it’s hard to see him going to the tournament. There has been no hint of it over the past few years.

Pique is expected to start against Viktoria Plzen though. He’s the only fit centre-back in the squad now, with Eric Garcia and Kounde recovering from their Valencia knocks, while Araujo and Christensen are injured. He will likely play with Marcos Alonso at the back at the Doosan Arena.

He will wear the captain’s armband too, in a difficult context. He’s the 18th most used player and that’s given all the other defenders have been injured.