News relating to Catalonia’s controversial independence referendum has spilled over from the front pages to the back, with FC Barcelona and some of the region’s most high-profile stars taking centre stage in the issue which has occupied Spain in recent days.
While the separatists still have a long way to go despite Sunday’s vote, the aspiring nation has never had much difficulty in producing footballers and would have little trouble in fielding a team, if nationhood becomes a reality.
Here’s a potential starting XI for Catalonia to take into a very hypothetical FIFA tournament should they wave adios to Spain…
1. GK: Kiko Casilla
Real Madrid’s patient backup may just edge it over Espanyol starter (and former Tottenham loanee) Pau Lopez.
30-year-old Casilla has technically won two Champions Leagues, La Liga and the FIFA Club World Cup…but didn’t have a great deal to do with the winning of any of them.
He was, however, a regular starter for Espanyol until his move to the Spanish capital in 2015, and made one appearance for the Spanish national team in a 2014 friendly.
2. RB: Hector Bellerin
Despite some inconsistent form over the last few months, the 22-year-old Arsenal speedster is the obvious choice at right back.
However, he faces competition from Barcelona duo Sergi Roberto and Aleix Vidal, as well as loaned out Manchester City youngster Pablo Maffeo.
3. LB: Jordi Alba
A fairly undisputed choice at left-back, Alba has been one of the world’s finest in his position for a number of years – excelling at Valencia before returning to boyhood club Barcelona where he has won every club trophy available to him.
20-year-old Aaron Martin of Espanyol, who has been linked with Manchester City, can provide backup.
4. CB: Gerard Pique
Mr Shakira has become something of a poster boy for Catalan independence in the media in recent weeks. His experience and dedication to the cause make him an obvious contender for the captaincy.
5. CB: Marc Bartra
Bartra may have begun his career at Barcelona like his central defensive partner, but he is finding his feet away from Catalonia with DFB Pokal winners Dortmund.
Stiff competition for Barta comes from the likes of Espanyol’s Victor Sanchez, Celta’s Andreu Fontas and Swansea’s Jordi Amat, who is out on loan at Real Betis.
6. CM: Oriol Romeu
The Southampton man has impressed on his second spell in the Premier League, after failing to make much of an impact at Chelsea.
His ability to excel doing the dirty work as well the tiki taka sees him get a starting nod ahead of Sergi Samper, or Girona’s Álex Granell.
7. CM: Sergio Busquets
Another one to have spent his entire career to date in Catalonia, while his dad also represented la Blaugrana.
The Sabadell-born midfielder would provide a fairly impenetrable shield in front of the back four alongside Romeu.
8. CM: Cesc Fabregas
More than 100 international caps to his name, a World Cup and two European Championships with Spain…Fabregas has the experience to help lead a nascent Catalonia side through their first qualification campaign and tournament, before handing over to the younger generation.
The likes of Espanyol’s Marc Roca and Barcelona’s Carles Alena wait in the wings to take over in the future.
9. AMR: Gerard Deulofeu
After a frustrating time at Everton, Deulofeu flourished in Serie A with AC Milan before earning a move home to Barcelona and would provide one half of the most lung-busting right sides in international football alongside Bellerin.
Another one to find his feet in Italy, Cristian Tello – who joined Real Betis from Fiorentina in the summer – could provide another option from the bench.
10. AML: Keita Baldé Diao
Girona-born Keita left Barcelona’s fabled youth academy in 2011 to join Lazio where excelled in a four-year spell.
The 22-year-old Senegal international scored 16 in Serie A in 2016/17 from a wide starting position. He was been linked with big money moves to Liverpool and Juventus in the summer, before eventually joining Ligue 1 champions Monaco.
11. ST: Gerard Moreno
Espanyol’s 2016/17 top scorer has started this campaign strongly with three goals in his first seven outings.
The 25-year-old’s ability to hold up the ball and work as a number nine makes him the obvious choice in squad littered with attacking options.