Barcelona left-back Alejandro Balde has been called up to Spain's World Cup squad at the eleventh hour to replace the injured Jose Gaya.
Balde has been a regular in Spain's under-21 squad but has yet to make a senior appearance for his country. He was tipped to break into Luis Enrique's squad for the tournament in Qatar but missed out on a place in the initial squad, which was named last week.
But the 19-year-old has been given the nod to replace Gaya, who will miss the tournament after spraining his ankle in training on Wednesday. The Valencia full-back was expected to be sidelined for around 10 days, but Enrique has decided to axe the 27-year-old and draft in Balde.
Balde will likely be behind Jordi Alba in the pecking order for Spain, even though the talented teenager has leapfrogged his Barcelona teammate in the pecking order at the Nou Camp this season.
Ronald Koeman handed the youngster his senior debut during his ill-fated tenure last year, but Balde has retained his spot under Xavi and has since firmly established himself as one of the club's top prospects.
Already this term, Balde has clocked up 16 appearances in all competitions ahead of Alba and ex- Chelsea defender Marcos Alonso, who was reportedly also considered as a potential replacement for Gaya.
Barcelona confirmed the news in a statement on their official website which read: "Alejandro Balde is going to Qatar. Luis Enrique has called on his services after Valencia defender Gaya had to drop out through injury.
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"He thus becomes the eighth Barca player in the Spain squad, where he'll be joining Eric Garcia, Jordi Alba, Pedri, Gavi, Busquets, Ferran Torres and Ansu Fati. Balde was away with the U21 squad when he heard the news, and will be going to the World Cup despite not having made his debut for his country.
Balde's versatility has proven invaluable for Xavi, who has utilised the youngster in a right-back role at times this season. The Barcelona icon, who played with some of the best youngsters to emerge from the club's famed La Masia academy during his storied playing career, hailed the "amazing" defender earlier in the season.
Speaking back in September, the Barca boss said of Balde, whose contract is due to expire next summer: "I am happy for him. He has great quality and character. It never ceases to amaze me that an 18-year-old can play at that level. Physically, he is amazing and he is going to give us a lot. We have three left-backs at an extraordinary level, with Jordi and Marcos as well."
