Casillas kissing girlfriend: TV journalist Carbonero and Spain is the world champion!

Fernando Torres, Cesc Fabregas, Víctor Valdes named in Spain's squad

Barcelona's uncapped keeper Víctor Valdes and winger Pedro Rodriguez were in a list of 30 players announced on Monday from whom coach Vicente del Bosque will select the 23 for June's World Cup in South Africa.

Del Bosque said the line-up was made "with my heart and with my head." Besides Valdes and Rodriguez, three others are on track for their first caps: Atletico Madrid keeper David De Gea, Osasuna defender Cesar Azpilicueta and Athletic Bilbao midfielder Javi Martínez.

Injured players Andres Iniesta of Barcelona, Cesc Fabregas of Arsenal and Liverpool's Fernando Torres are also included on the list.

Del Bosque plans to announce the final squad for the World Cup, which runs from June 11-July 11, on May 20.

The coach had hinted recently that he would call up Valdes, after the 28-year-old's strong form for the European and Spanish champions over the past two seasons.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Jose Manuel Reina (Liverpool/ENG), Diego López (Villarreal), David De Gea (Atletico Madrid), Victor Valdes (Barcelona).

Defenders: Raul Albiol, Sergio Ramos, Alvaro Arbeloa (all Real Madrid), Joan Capdevila (Villarreal), Gerard Pique, Carles Puyol (both Barcelona), Carlos Marchena (Valencia), Cesar Azpilicueta (Osasuna).

Midfielders: Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal/ENG), Sergio Busquets, Xavi Hernández, Andrés Iniesta (all Barcelona), Marcos Senna (Villarreal), Javier Martínez (Athletic Bilbao), David Silva (Valencia).

Forwards: Daniel Guiza (Fenerbahce/TUR), Juan Manuel Mata, David Silva, David Villa (all Valencia), Alvaro Negredo, Jesus Navas (both Sevilla), Fernando Torres (Liverpool/ENG), Santiago Cazorla (Villarreal), Pedro Rodríguez (Barcelona), Fernando Llorente (Athletic de Bilbao).

Garrincha´s world record broken

On Saturday, 14 November and Wednesday 18 November, Spain’s Raúl Albiol and Carlos Marchena entered the record books after playing in Spain’s friendly matches against Argentina and Austria.

According to Infostrada, Raúl Albiol won his 21st and 22nd successive match with Spain when he played in the match against Argentina (2-1 win) on 14 Nov and Austria (1-5 win), breaking his compatriot Xabi Alonso’s world record of 21 successive victories in internationals.

Marchena played in the match against Austria (1-5 win) on 18 Nov, equalling Brazilian Garrincha’s world record of 49 successive international matches without defeat, a record which has survived for more than 43 years.

Players with most successive international victories

# Player Nation Years

22 Raúl Albiol Spain 2007 – 2009

21 Xabi Alonso Spain 2008 – 2009

19 Zé Roberto Brazil 1995 – 1998

17 Zito Brazil 1959 – 1962

17 Djalma Dias Brazil 1962 – 1969

17 Dunga Brazil 1997 – 1998

Players with most successive international matches without defeat

# Player Nation Years

49 Carlos Marchena Spain 2003 – 2009

49 Garrincha Brazil 1955 – 1966

39 Zinédine Zidane France 1997 – 2001

38 Xavi Spain 2001 – 2006

37 Julen Guerrero Spain 1993 – 1999

Fernando Torres: We can win the Premier League

Striker Torres, is confident Liverpool have the quality to once again challenge at the top of the table — and improve on last year's second-placed finish.

Liverpool's last silverware was the FA Cup in 2006 and Torres said: "Two years without a trophy is a long time for a club like us but we believe we can do it this year. "I came to Liverpool to win trophies. "But I am sure this time we can win the Premier League or the Champions League.

"It won't be easy because there are big challenges ahead but we think we can win."

Liverpool last won the top title in 1990 but Yossi Benayoun shares the same view as Torres.

He said: "I have a lot of confidence in this team. We have a belief in the squad that we can win the league but we have to work hard and keep improving.

"Personally I want this to be an even better season for me. I want to take my chances and help the team."

Manager Rafa Benitez insists his Spanish contingent's late return to training will not affect Liverpool's title chances.

Torres made his first appearance of pre-season during the Reds' draw with Thailand in a friendly which also saw Pepe Reina, Alvaro Arbeloa and Albert Riera taste their first action of the summer.

Having returned to training only at the start of the week, the Spaniards are behind their team-mates in the warm-up programme.

But Benitez does not believe that will be a problem when the campaign gets under way.

He said: "All the sides have a lot of internationals — it's part of modern football. Good players are international players.

"Spain are doing really well at the moment, which is positive for our players, and we have others who are doing well for their countries.

"We have to manage them perfectly and that's what we'll continue to do."

Source: The Sun