Barcelona ace Andres Iniesta has been ruled out of Spain’s forthcoming matches against France and Macedonia owing to injury.
The 30-year old Spanish midfielder is still suffering from a knee problem that led to him missing Barcelona’s game against Villarreal at the weekend. It has just been announced that he will not be available for selection for the Spain national team either.
The Spanish football federation have announced that Spain coach Vincente del Bosque will not replace the experienced player and has instead decided to stick with his original 22-man squad to face their opponents in the upcoming international friendlies.
Iniesta has won 100 caps for his country so far, scoring 11 times and has been a dominant figure in Spain’s most successful period in their history, after winning two European Championships in 2008 and 2012 along with the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
The three-times UEFA European champions face France on Thursday before hosting to Macedonia at the Santiago Bernabeu for their opening Euro 2016 qualifying match on Monday.
Spain are set to have a new look midfield for their next two games after Xabi Alonso and Xavi both retired after a terrible World Cup for the national side, along with defender Alvaro Arbeloa and striker David Villa.