Electrifying Benfica display puts Barcelona talent back in national team plans after year-long absence | OneFootball

Barcelona defender Alejandro Balde is edging closer to a potential return to the Spanish national team.

As relayed by Mundo Deportivo, head coach Luis de la Fuente is considering calling him up for the upcoming UEFA Nations League quarter-final matches against the Netherlands on March 20 and 23.

If included in the squad, this would mark Balde’s first international appearance since October 2023.

Under Hansi Flick, Balde has evolved into a crucial player for Barcelona, proving himself as an essential figure in the starting lineup and his performance against Benfica once again showcased his remarkable abilities.

Spanish NT coach is keeping an eye

De la Fuente, who watched Balde live against Benfica, has been closely monitoring Balde’s progress, and his standout display has only strengthened the case for his return to the national team setup.

Alejandro Balde put on a great show against Benfica. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)

Alongside him, as many as six other Barcelona players could also be named in the squad, including Pau Cubarsi, Pedri, Gavi, Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, and Ferran Torres.

It must be noted that Balde last featured for Spain on October 12, 2023, when he played 45 minutes in a 2-0 victory over Scotland.

Making an impact

His impact against Benfica was undeniable. He was among the most involved players on the pitch, registering 94 touches, a number only surpassed by Inigo Martínez (108) and Pedri (106).

His passing accuracy was also commendable, achieving a success rate of 91.8%. Additionally, Balde was one of the most effective dribblers in the match, completing five successful dribbles—matching Lamine Yamal’s tally.

Defensively, Balde contributed significantly as well. He was among the top performers in ball recoveries, retrieving possession six times.

Only Pedri and Olmo surpassed him in this aspect, each recovering the ball on ten occasions.

With Balde continuing to shine under Flick’s system, his resurgence at club level could soon be rewarded with a long-awaited return to international duty.