Real Madrid captain Iker Casillas has played down the influence of Barcelona in the national team. Barca by coach Pep Guardiola, which has seen the Catalan club win a plethora of trophies in the last three seasons including three Primera Division titles and two Champions League crowns.
Seven Barcelona players started for Spain in the World Cup final win over Holland and all of the goals in South Africa were scored by members of Guardiola's squad - even though striker David Villa had yet to feature for the Catalans, having signed just before the tournament for Valencia.
Casillas, though, says Spain's style dates back to before the 2008 European Championship win, and claims Madrid were the dominant force back then.
"Anyone who has followed the national team a little will remember where our style of play comes from," he told Chilean newspaper El Mercurio in an interview.
