It's unusual that Carles Alena is yet to make his Spain under-21 debut, given how important a player he has been for the underage teams in recent years, but the Barcelona player will get the chance this international break.
Alena has been selected for La Rojita, and he sat with MARCA to express his happiness.
Q: Do you feel pressure because you've been spoken about for so many years?
I haven't had pressure. There's responsibility because I'm at a club as important as Barcelona. My name has been around, but I've been around for many years, moving through the categories and now I've reached the first team. I like the challenge and I want this pressure throughout my career.
Q: What's it like to play in the first team at Barcelona?
I haven't gotten used to it, because it's all happening so fast but I'm enjoying it a lot. I've been at the club for 14 years and I've seen my idols a thousand times on TV or on the pitch, I share experiences with them now on a daily basis in the dressing room and on the pitch. It's a dream come true and I'm learning a lot.
Q: How is it sharing time with Lionel Messi?
My words have run out for Messi and I've only worked closely with him for a year. He has left me without adjectives. He's No.1, there are no comparisons. They've all finished. There are no more Ballon d'Ors, nor is he the fifth best in the world. People think it's a joke but it's reality. He's the best and he has been for 12 years. He's broken all the records. There are great players, but there won't be any more like him. All that's left to know is how many more years he'll be at this level.
Q: How is he as a person?
Spectacular. He acts like a captain and he helped me a lot when I came into the setup. He told me to play quietly because there's always pressure in the first team, but in the end you play with stars. He made me feel bigger, he's a really nice guy.
Q: Your friend Denis Suarez wished you luck in your debut.
The objective is to be champions. They had a great generation. I followed them and the final against Germany was a shame. I thank you very much for the message from Denis, he's a player I have a lot of affection and admiration for. He had helped me a lot since my arrival in the first team and I hope one day he can return to Barcelona and succeed because he's a great player and I dream of playing with him. I send him a big hug.
Q: How do your friends feel about your arrival in the Barcelona first team?
My friends are all cules their whole lives and have seen me play in the underage teams. They've seen me cry for Barcelona. Both my family and friends are enjoying it a lot. It's a dream come true and I want it to last for many years.
Q: Have you sacrificed much to become a footballer?
You have to. But for me, it wasn't an effort because to become a player you have to leave things behind. Going out at night with your friends, eating dinner out, you have to cut these things because you have to take care of the very small details and I did it happily.
Q: Are you evidence that La Masia is still alive?
Work always bears fruit. People say the essence has been lost, but they're always rushing youth players to succeed. People have the generation of Andres Iniesta, Xavi and Messi in their minds but that was unique and we have to be aware that it will never be repeated. You have to give opportunities to the young payers and then they'll know the level required. It's the best team in the world. I'm happy to move through all of these stages and to be fulfilling a dream.