Spain will begin their FIFA World Cup™ title defence with all-time leading goalscorer David Villa after he was recalled for the first time since suffering a broken leg eight months ago.
Villa missed Spain's UEFA EURO 2012 success after he sustained the injury with Barcelona at the FIFA Club World Club Challenge last December. The 30-year-old scored on his return in Barça's season-opening win over Real Sociedad two weeks ago, and Spain boss Vicente del Bosque has rushed him straight back into his 23-man for their opening FIFA World Cup qualifier against Georgia in Tbilisi next month, which will be preceded by a home friendly against Saudi Arabia.
"I'm very happy to be back with the Spanish National Team!" Villa wrote on his Twitter page. "I'm excited to be back with my colleagues again and to be able to enjoy this unique side!"
Del Bosque also recalled star playmaker Xavi after he was rested for the recent 2-1 friendly win over Puerto Rico, but London Olympians Javi Martinez and Juan Mata have again been left out. Martinez only completed a protracted €40million euro move from Athletic Bilbao to Bayern Munich on Wednesday, while Mata's exclusion comes after a request from his club, Chelsea, to reduce his workload after a busy summer.
Mata's Blues team-mate Fernando Torres has been included and will win his 100th cap should he appear against the Saudis in Pontevedra on 7 September.
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