Iñigo Martinez back in Spain squad

The last international break of the season is upon us and as usual a number of Barça players will be off playing for their national teams.

Eights players in Spain v Netherlands

The majority will be playing in the two legs of the UEFA Nations League quarter final between Spain and the Netherlands. The big news in Luis de la Fuente's Spanish squad is the return of Iñigo Martinez, who has been called up for the first time in over a year. The injury to Athletic Club's Dani Vivian is part of the reason, but also the centre back's exceptional form for his club this season, which has earned him a contract extension through to 2026.

He is joined in the team by Pau Cubarsí, Marc Casadó, Pedri, Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo and Ferran Torres. And the games will probably also feature Frenkie de Jong playing for the opposing side. Ronald Koeman named the Barça midfielder in his provisional squad, but has yet to announce the definitive list of players.

All the usuals

Jules Kounde is also involved in a Nations League quarter final, with his France taking on Croatia. For Robert Lewandowski it's time to start thinking about World Cup qualification, with Poland opening their campaign with two very winnable fixtures against Lithuania and Malta.

Down in South America, the next round of Conmebol fixtures brings a couple of big tests for Raphinha and Brazil against Colombia and Argentina. One imagines that Ronald Araujo will be featuring for Uruguay against Argentina and Bolivia, but Marcelo Bielsa has yet to announce the squad.

Gerard Martín in U21

The Spain U21 team has a couple of friendlies against Czechia and Germany, with Gerard Martín being named for the first time ever in a national youth team. He'll be joined on the expedition by clubmates Fermín López and Pablo Torre.