Several LaLiga stars have been away with their national teams this past week and scoring goals for their countries, while others have stayed behind and have been training with their club colleagues ahead of the huge fixtures coming up at the start of April. Here’s a look at the main LaLiga storylines to have come up during the international break.
Spain debuts for LaLiga rising stars Pedri and Bryan Gil
It’s always special when a player runs out for their national team for the very first time and FC Barcelona’s Pedri and SD Eibar’s Bryan Gil were able to experience this feeling this past week. They earned their first senior caps in Spain’s 1-1 draw with Greece in World Cup qualifying, while former Girona FC and Real Valladolid full-back Pedro Porro earned his debut in a 2-1 win over Georgia on Sunday.
LaLiga goals across the world
The stars of LaLiga have been representing their national teams this past week, with many getting on the scoresheet. Sevilla’s Luuk de Jong scored for the Netherlands, while Real Sociedad’s Alexander Isak also found the back of the net for Sweden. But it was a bumper week for Barcelona players, with Antoine Griezmann, Ousmane Dembélé, Sergino Dest, Miralem Pjanić and Martin Braithwaite all finding their way onto the international scoresheets this week.
An all-time record for Luka Modrić
Luka Modrić has now overtaken Darijo Srna to become Croatia’s most-capped player ever. The Real Madrid midfielder moved on to 135 appearances for his country and was moved to tears as he watched a tribute video detailing his decade and a half representing his country.
Chimy Ávila plays again
Everyone at Osasuna has been excited over the past few weeks about the return of Chimy Ávila from a long-term injury. The striker last played a competitive game in January of 2020, but is close to a comeback and took another step towards his return to competitive action by taking part in the team’s friendly against Eibar during the international break.
Dani Carvajal is back in training
The 2020/21 campaign has not been an easy one for Dani Carvajal, who has only been able to feature in 12 matches for Real Madrid due to various injuries. But the right-back has now returned to Real Madrid training and his comeback is timely, with ElClásico coming up on April 10th.
Xabi Alonso renews his contract at Real Sociedad
Despite major rumours about a move away, Real Sociedad’s B team coach Xabi Alonso has renewed his contract at the Basque club. He is now tied to the side from San Sebastián – his hometown club – until the summer of 2022 and has said that he is excited to keep working with the talented youngsters coming through the club’s academy.
Moussa Dembélé suffers a scare, but recovers well
There was a scare at Atlético de Madrid training this past week as Moussa Dembélé collapsed during one of the sessions. The medical staff were quick to attend to the January signing and, after a few days off, he was able to return to train as normal. “It was more of a scare than anything harmful, thanks for all your messages,” the striker wrote on social media.
Athletic Club and Real Sociedad prepare for their final
The 2019/20 Copa del Rey final will finally take place on April 3rd at La Cartuja in Seville, so Athletic Club and Real Sociedad have been preparing for this coming weekend’s big match. Some players have been away on international duty, but coaches Marcelino and Imanol Alguacil have been able to work with most of their squads ahead of this huge Basque derby.
The launch of Liga Ellas
From next season, top-tier women’s football in Spain will officially hold professional status. The division will be known as Liga Ellas and will follow men’s football and basketball in enjoying professional status in Spain.
