• Busquets is negative in the PCR test and rejoins the selection

The vibrations from the earthquake in Valdebebas naturally reached Las Rozas. Late on Wednesday, with the agenda for Thursday fine-tuned, it was time to advance

Pablo Sarabia's

press conference

. At that same time (12.30pm), Sergio Ramos said goodbye to Real Madrid and you had to show respect. Who until a few weeks ago was still the captain of the Spanish team, sent an emotional goodbye (broken by some tears) to the team where he has played for the last 16 years. However, he left his challenge open with the national team (180 games). «It saddens me not to be able to be in the Eurocopa, but I understand perfectly the decision of

Luis Enrique

. I will fight to find my best level ”, were his first words live, after being left out of the call on May 24. That morning, the bracelet from Spain, the same one he had inherited from Iker

Casillas

, changed arms. And, in principle, it was Sergio

Busquets

who would speak, but the Covid has had him at home for 12 days. After testing negative in the last PCR, he traveled directly to Seville to join his teammates, before the match against Poland (S / 21.00).

In that week and a half without Busquets, who has remained at his home in Barcelona informed of every detail of the selection, there have been rarefied days, marked by the virus, vaccines and, also, by the insipid premiere with turbulence in the Eurocup against Sweden. In short, due to day-to-day situations that

Jordi Alba

and

Koke

, the two heads of the booth,

have had to handle

due to the circumstances. The Barça winger wore the armband, but the Atlético leader pushed alongside him. The rojiblanco, used to showing his face for his team since he received the legacy of

Godín

and

Gabi

, has more than enough tables.

On Monday, during the debut against Sweden, Koke still approached the stands of La Cartuja to ask for encouragement before the game that he took out the umbrella so that his friend

Morata would

not be completely blown away by the noise. Things you usually do in Madrid with your club. «When they made me captain of Atlético, they gave me some advice: not to change my way of being. Do not stop being who you are or believe yourself more than anyone, "the Vallecano recalled a few days ago. For Alba, who is not one of the four Barça captains, the matter is novel and responds to a question of numbers: 73 caps.

“Both have done it very naturally, collaboratively and with leadership.

The relationship is very good, especially with the youngest.

They are willing to help and have a very positive attitude, "they emphasize from the Las Rozas headquarters, where on Thursday night they were already awaiting the imminent return of Busquets.

"It can happen at any time," they slipped.

And early on Friday, the national team confirmed that the midfielder, after testing negative in the last PCR, will travel directly to Seville to join the concentration at the Eurostars hotel in Torre Sevilla.

"Here everyone is a leader"

The absence of Ramos has forced to accelerate a transition with the captaincy that had always been oiled. The end of one was the dawn of another that had already been waiting its turn for a long time. From

Zubizarreta

to Hierro, from

Hierro

to

Raúl

, from Raúl to

Casillas

, from Casillas to Ramos. This is how the last three decades of the Spanish team have been. "Here, everyone is a leader in their own way," summed up César Azpilicueta to EL MUNDO, who has managed the changing rooms of Chelsea, the European champion team, since 2019.

He is not the only one in command within his club. Apart from Koke (51 games), who lifted the league three weeks ago, there is also

Gayà

, who took the helm of Valencia last summer, after Parejo left for Villarreal. Since 2017, despite his youth (22), he was one of

Marcelino's

five captains

. Busquets has stripes in the Barça dressing room, only that he has Messi ahead. "You can lend a hand, but I have not seen weakness," Azpilicueta added on Wednesday, in his meeting with this newspaper.

This young team, orphan of those iconic footballers who were the majority in times not so distant, still lacks a bracelet under which to take refuge in moments of storm.

Ramos may still have another opportunity to continue expanding his history with the national team.

And who knows, time may end up finding the future leader of the team in one of the current captains.

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Know more

  • sports

  • Euro 2020

  • Spain Soccer Team

  • football

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