'Time catches up with us all' was Luis Enrique's message to Sergio Busquets, who does not appear to have a guaranteed place at Euro 2020.
Luis Enrique has made it clear that Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets will not necessarily be at Euro 2020 if he does not maintain his form.
A winner of the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012, Busquets has earned 118 caps for La Roja since making his debut in 2009.
He remains a key figure at the heart of midfield for club and country and captained the side that drew 0-0 with Portugal in Lisbon on Tuesday.
Pressure for places with Rodri
However, Busquets will be a month short of his 33rd birthday when the postponed Euro 2020 finals begin next June and his starting spot with Spain is already under pressure from Manchester City midfielder Rodri.
Luis Enrique cannot guarantee Busquets will be part of his plans next year if he is not able to sustain his performance levels.
"If he maintains the level of the last 11 years, he'll be at the Euros. If he lowers it, we'll see," said the Spain boss.
"He's a veteran and he's the first to know how this goes. In the end, there comes a time when age counts for everything.
"It's the rule of life. Nobody spends 28 years in the national team."
Adama Traore only starting his Spain adventure
One player who has forced his way into Luis Enrique's plans is Wolves winger Adama Traore, who made his debut off the bench against Portugal.
The winger's speed, trickery and imposing physique make him a weapon unlike any other at Spain's disposal in attack, and his head coach is delighted to see him flourishing.
He also confirmed Traore's upper-body size is from genetics and general conditioning, not from hours of heavy lifting.
"His case his special. He doesn't lift weights β it's true what he says," the former Barca boss said.
"He's a footballer who doesn't only have speed and an enviable physical structure. It's skill, it's power, it's strength, it's the capacity to hold onto the ball. He's a very sensible and thorough person. I'm really glad he's doing well.
"There's no single tactic for a player. There are tactics that try to promote individual qualities from a collective vision. A profile like Adama's is unusual. Those qualities are hard to find at this level and we'll try to integrate him into our team."
Nations League next up
Spain play their third game of Nations League Group A4 on Saturday against Switzerland at Real Madrid's Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano.
The match is due to go ahead despite Madrid having been put back into a state of alarm as a result of rising coronavirus cases over the past two months.
"The players can't be worried," Luis Enrique said. "We'd like the news to be otherwise, to be able to play with fans [attending].
"We're living in a bubble, with tests every few days, without contact with people from outside... there's a general wish that this can be resolved as soon as possible."
Holuwhapamilerin
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BUSQUETS to LUIS ENRIQUE after hearing that 'he may not be in LUIS ENRIQUE plans for EURO 2020'
JohnWick7
560
Busquet be like:- I can't be suffering Koeman's effect and still be Suffering Enrique's pressure at the same time, my Life matters π
FemiBalogun
530
that will be a big mistake for Enrique if he drop busquets,those young Spanish midfielders need busquet experience to lead them as Ramos coordinating defence line. secondly I don't see anyone in Spanish team currently who is better than busquets as CDM even rodri,you don't have to judge a tournament with a friendly match, remove busquets in Spanish midfield and play against strong team like France, Germany or Belgium then you will realise his quality.
rockstar777
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JohnWick7
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Even Ramos Knows fully that without Busquet Spain Midfield will be like Juventus Midfield under Sarri's Management.
TNSB
379
i think the days of Busquets is over but Special thanks to him for all that he has done in football πππππ
dreamlig
283
Busquets waiting for Enrique, after all I have done for Spain
MHCR7
232
At 33 year Ronaldo Vs Others