International friendlies are scheduled this midweek before the start of the new La Liga season, and 11 Barça players will be fulfilling their national team duties.

Just days before FC Barcelona begin their Liga campaign against Real Sociedad on Sunday, August 19 at 21:00 CET, as many as eleven members of the first team squad will join their national teams for friendlies that will be played on August 15 and 16.

Spain are playing Puerto Rico on August 15 at 22:30 CET and six Barça players have been called up by Vicente del Bosque. Valdés, Piqué, Sergio Busquets, Iniesta, Pedro and Cesc form the Barça contingent in the Spanish selection. Xavi has been rested, as is Jordi Alba, who was part of the Spanish Olympic squad after participating in the successful Euro Cup win earlier as well.

Argentina are facing Germany in Frankfurt. The South Americans take on the side coached by Joachim Löw on Wednesday, August 15 at 20:45 CET and Lionel Messi and Javier Mascherano have been called up by Alejandro Sabella.

Dani Alves will be appearing in the match against Sweden in Stockholm at 20:00 CET on August 15 after being included in the Brazil squad by Mano Menezes.

Former Barcelona manager Louis van Gaal has assumed the mantle of Dutch national team coach, and has announced the name of Ibrahim Afellay among his picks for a game with Belgium in Brussels at 20:45 CET on August 15.

Chile will be facing fellow South American side Ecuador in New York on August 16 in a match that kicks off at 02:00 CET and Alexis Sánchez is part of the squad.

Source: fcbarcelona.cat; Image: Arxiu/fcbarcelona.cat