FIFA Virus: 16 Barcelona players set to leave for international duty

FIFA Virus: 16 Barcelona players set to leave for international duty

The FIFA virus has struck Barcelona hard once again as 16 players now leave to join their respective national teams after gameweek two of La Liga.

These Blaugranas form part of nine teams that will face 2018 World Cup qualifiers along with the Spain under-21 team who are aiming for qualification to the European Championship.

SPAIN

New Roja coach Julen Lopetegui has called-up Gerard Pique, Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets, Sergi Roberto and Paco Alcacer to take part in a friendly against Belgium on Thursday before playing against Liechtenstein on September 5. 

In addition, Denis Suarez and Munir El Haddadi (now of Valencia) are part of Albert Celades' under-21 squad to face San Marino And Sweden in two qualifying games for the under-21 European Championship.

ELSEWHERE IN EUROPE

Marc-Andre ter Stegen will feature for Germany, Ivan Rakitic for Croatia, Samuel Umtiti and Lucas Digne for France, Andre Gomes for Portugal and Jasper Cillessen for the Netherlands are all also contesting World Cup qualifiers over the next week.

SOUTH AMERICA

The South American have it worse out of all the 16 in question.

While Luis Suarez and Neymar will travel more than 23,000 kilometres to participate in dual commitments for Uruguay and Brazil respectively, Lionel Messi and Javier Mascherano will exceed 31,000km with Argentina.